UK stocks were on course of their sixth loss in a row Thursday, with WM Morrison Supermarkets shares under pressure, as investors focused on the European Central Bank meeting later in the day.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.4% to 7,302.07, led by drops for oil and gas, mining, health care and utility shares. The benchmark on Wednesday ended roughly 0.1% lower, a fifth consecutive fall that marked the longest losing run for the index since early November.