London's FTSE 100 gained 0.27% on Wednesday's close as US strikes in response to the alleged downing of an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz led Iran to attack a US base in Jordan and 21 other Gulf targets.
"Tehran has denied responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, although Iranian officials issued sharp warnings following the US operation," Deutsche Bank Research said. "The exchange has underscored the fragility of the April ceasefire and cast fresh doubt over President Trump's repeated assertions that a broader peace deal was close."
In corporate news, Experian (EXPN.L) dropped 2.41% to take a spot among the worst performers on the blue-chip index after Deutsche Bank Research lowered the data and technology company's price target to 35 pounds sterling from 40 pounds, with a buy rating.
"In [business-to-business], our core thesis is that the AI platform shift strengthens the group's market position. For Experian, software is distribution not product... We expect the AI platform shift to further accelerate falling costs for these products - and expect the group to have an opportunity to pursue additional, richer value pools as a result. Experian has a preferential position to take advantage of these opportunities: it has scaled distribution, sits within complex embedded credit decisioning infrastructure, and is a highly trusted counterparty to regulated institutions," analysts said.
On the flip side, Tritax Big Box REIT (BBOX.L) gained 4.86% after it received approval from the UK Secretary of State for its proposed data center in Manor Farm, Heathrow, UK. The decision comes earlier than Tritax expected.
Meanwhile, mid-cap constituent WH Smith (SMWH.L) tumbled 16.17% after it lowered its fiscal 2026 outlook, citing uncertainty due to the Middle East conflict and gross margin pressures. The travel retailer now expects headline group pretax profit and non-underlying items of 75 million pounds to 90 million pounds, compared with the previous forecast of 90 million pounds to 105 million pounds.