353 stories mentioning FTSE 100Updated 2d ago
The UK benchmark swung on US-Iran peace-framework developments, ending one week up 1.63% but later closing 0.39% lower as a 60-day deal awaited signing.
Britain's unemployment rate stood at 4.9% in the three months to June, unchanged from the level in the prior three-month period, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Tuesday.The consensus estimate for the period was 4.8%.Meanwhile, the UK employment rate was 75.1% during the quarter to June.
London's FTSE 100 declined on Monday, closing 0.20% in the red, amid concerns over the expiration of the interim US-Iran ceasefire and ahead of a busy week of UK economic data.With discussions over peace and transit through the Strait of Hormuz at a standstill, US President Donald Trump warned Americans to brace for persistently high fuel prices. The US also explored new sanctions on Iran, while Israel attacked Lebanon over the weekend. Yet, Iran threatened that the waterway will remain blocked until the US admits defeat.On the macro calendar, labor data is due Tuesday, July inflation print on Wednesday, the industrial trends report on Thursday, and consumer confidence, retail sales, and August PMI on Friday."We expect UK headline inflation to rise from 2.6% in June to 2.9% in July - 10 [basis points] above the [Bank of England's] forecast," BofA Global Research said. "The UK unemployment rate should fall to 4.8%, but private regular wage growth is likely to move a tad lower, too. We continue to see the central bank on hold in 2026, although risks are tilted to a hike later this year."In corporate news, drugmaker AstraZeneca (AZN.L) gained 0.73% after separate phase 3 trials of the Tagrisso-Orpathys combination treatment and Enhertu showed improved progression-free survival of certain lung cancer patients. Meanwhile, the drugmaker terminated another phase 3 trial evaluating volrustomig in combination with chemotherapy to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer."This trial fail, while high risk, brings AZN pipeline risk back into focus following high profile Wainua PIII fail and recent high profile media speculation for a [Bristol Myers Squibb] merger. Investors have been consistently more cautious of AZN's bispecific strategy (this and PD1/TIGIT) and may further investor caution on strength of oncology pipeline into an oncology patent cliff (Lynparza 27E, Imfinzi 31E, Calquence & Tagrisso 32E)," BofA said in another note.HSBC (HSBA.L) raised $6.75 billion from the issuance of three series of senior unsecured notes intended for listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The lender also issued SG$450 million in fixed-rate resettable notes on the London bourse's main market. The stock was 0.43% in the green at the session's close.Deutsche Bank Research reduced Entain's (ENT.L) price target to 9.14 pounds sterling from 9.5 pounds, with a buy rating. "Entain reported 1H EBITDA of GBP479m (-2% yoy), 3% ahead of company-compiled consensus of GBP464m (DBe GBP452m). UK online revenue grew 13% (c/fx), ahead of peers which have recently reported. Australia (+13%) was the other standout region which has seen three consecutive quarters of market share gains. In total 1H online revenue +7%, at the top end of 5-7% FY guidance," analysts said. The sports betting and gaming group was down 0.29%.
Consumer confidence in the UK weakened in August as households became increasingly insecure about their jobs amid a renewed decline in income.The S&P Global UK Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 42.9, down from a four-month high of 43.4 in July, according to a survey by S&P Global released Monday.Sentiment regarding the labor market marked its lowest level since March 2023. Demand for additional borrowing also increased as falling income prompted a renewed appetite for credit.
(Updates to add the Energy Department's statement)UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government is said to be leaning toward approving the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea amid a push to bolster domestic energy supplies, The Telegraph reported Monday, citing sources close to the process.According to the report, public consultation on Jackdaw recently concluded, and the findings are now expected to be reviewed by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning within the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will have the final say on the project, the news outlet reported.A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson told, "The North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs, growth and the UK's energy security. We are clear that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis."(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government is said to be leaning toward approving the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea amid a push to bolster domestic energy supplies, The Telegraph reported Monday, citing sources close to the process.According to the report, public consultation on Jackdaw recently concluded, and the findings are now expected to be reviewed by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning within the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will have the final say on the project, the news outlet reported.The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
UK equities extended their losses on Friday, with the FTSE 100 down 0.18% at close, amid continued weakness in mining stocks.Antofagasta (ANTO.L) was the blue-chip index's biggest faller for a second consecutive session, down 4.69%, after the mining company cut its copper production guidance for full-year 2026 on Thursday."Following recent weather-related disruptions at Los Pelambres, management has lowered group copper production guidance by ~5% at the midpoint to 625-655 kt (from 650-700 kt), a risk we had previously highlighted following a seasonally soft start in H1'26. Los Pelambres has since resumed operations, with mining and processing rates ramping up as site conditions improve," Deutsche Bank Research said.Meanwhile, Aviva (AV.L) gained 1.68% at close after reporting year-over-year growth in insurance revenue for the first half. However, the insurer's profit attributable to equity holders fell to 407 million pounds sterling from 698 million pounds a year earlier."Overall, we view 1H26 results as a small positive, with P&C ahead and Life in-line. GI COR was a 90bps beat at 93.3%, which was helped by higher PYD, with the company guiding to structurally higher releases going forward, although this has not led to better COR outlook. Company disclosed an 18% IRR in BPA, while Individual Protection and Health were slightly weak. While the shares have been strong into these results, on 10x FY27 P/E Aviva continues to trade at a meaningful discount to peers," according to RBC Capital Markets.In geopolitical news, the US is threatening new measures against Iran in the coming week, including economic isolation of the Middle Eastern country. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the scenario would be "like the world has never seen before," amid plans to continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz.Looking ahead to next week, UK inflation, labor and retail figures are due for release, alongside the preliminary August PMI data.
London's FTSE 100 closed in the red for the fourth consecutive session on Thursday, falling 0.69%, as losses in mining and energy stocks outweighed stronger-than-expected UK economic data.The UK's economy grew 0.4% in the second quarter, in line with expectations, following 0.6% growth in the previous quarter, preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics showed. GDP also rose 0.3% in June from May, beating expectations for no growth.Berenberg said the data showed the UK economy had held up better than expected despite higher energy prices and mortgage rates. "We still expect quarter-over-quarter growth to slow in H2 as changing seasonal patterns exert their drags and the weakness of the labour market weighs on household incomes. However, the gain in GDP in June and the possibility of a sustained tailwind from AI infrastructure investment skews the risks towards a better outcome," the research firm added, maintaining its view that the Bank of England could resume cutting interest rates by the end of 2026.In corporate news, miner Antofagasta (ANTO.L) slumped 6.08% to become the biggest faller on the blue-chip index after cutting its 2026 copper production guidance to between 625,000 tonnes and 655,000 tonnes, from 650,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes."We had expected a guidance downgrade at the Q3 results, as company on course for [650,000 tonnes], but essentially the impact of the storms taking c.10-15kt of production out. Antofagasta appears to have been the most heavily impacted of the miners so far, with Lundin maintaining guidance," RBC Capital Markets said, while BofA Global Research trimmed the stock's price target to 46 pounds sterling from 47 pounds.Rio Tinto Group (RIO.L), down 4.77%, said its aluminum smelter joint venture with Gove Aluminium Finance and Norsk Hydro pledged AU$1.1 billion through 2038 under a new agreement with the governments of Australia and the state of New South Wales. Tomago Aluminium's total commitment includes AU$100 million for decarbonization of Australia's largest aluminum smelter.Meanwhile, sports betting and gambling company Entain (ENT.L) declined 2.96% after its interim loss after tax narrowed year over year to 11.4 million pounds from 85.8 million pounds, while revenue increased to 2.51 billion pounds from 2.34 billion pounds.On the geopolitical front, Pakistan's foreign ministry said wider peace talks between the US and Iran had reached an impasse. Deutsche Bank Research also said Iran was carrying out a military overhaul as part of an "offensive doctrine," citing a Revolutionary Guard general.
The UK recorded a slowdown in economic growth between April and June, as output in both the services and construction sectors increased and growth in the production industry flatlined.The country's gross domestic product grew 0.4% in the second quarter, following a 0.6% rise in the prior-three-month period, according to preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics published Thursday. The latest reading came in line with the consensus estimate. On a yearly basis, the British economy expanded 1.2%, against the previous 0.9% increase and the expected 1.1% growth.Output in the services sector rose 0.5% in the second quarter, with eight of its 14 subsectors positively contributing to growth. Construction output edged up 0.3%, supported by increases in new work and in repair and maintenance.Meanwhile, the production sector showed no growth in the three months to June, after a 0.2% uptick in the previous quarter."Growth slowed in the second quarter of the year, following a strong start to 2026, but remained relatively robust. Services were once again the main driver of growth, while production was broadly unchanged and construction also grew," ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown said. "Within services, computer programming and advertising continued to perform strongly, as they have done throughout the year, while wholesale was a notable area of weakness. While production was flat across the quarter, manufacturing grew, led by the often-volatile pharmaceutical industry alongside further strength in computer products. This was offset by falls in power generation and sewerage."In June alone, the UK economy expanded 0.3% month over month, following a downwardly revised zero growth in May. Analysts expected a flat reading for the month."Services also drove growth in June, with some businesses reporting that good weather and sporting events may have had a positive impact that month," McKeown noted.
Business investment in the UK increased 1.7% in the second quarter, following a 0.9% gain in the prior three-month period, according to provisional data from the Office for National Statistics published Thursday.Analysts expected a 0.3% decline for the quarter.On a yearly basis, business investment rose 0.8%, compared with the 1.3% fall previously.
Construction output in the UK inched down 0.1% month over month in June, following a 0.8% fall in May, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday.Analysts expected a 0.3% decline for the month.On a yearly basis, construction output was 2.3% lower, compared with the revised 2% decrease earlier and the market forecast of a 2.4% contraction.
The UK's monthly manufacturing production was down 0.5% in June, following a revised 0.2% decrease in the prior month, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday.Analysts expected a 0.1% dip for the month.On a yearly basis, British manufacturing output rose 0.5%, compared with the revised 2% growth earlier and the consensus estimate of a 1.2% increase.
Britain's goods and services trade deficit grew by 300 million pounds sterling to 8 billion pounds in the three months to June, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday.The UK's goods trade deficit rose by 1.2 billion pounds to 60.7 billion pounds, while the services trade surplus increased by 900 million pounds to 52.7 billion pounds.
UK industrial production edged down 0.2% month over month in June, following a revised 0.7% decline in May, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday.Analysts expected a 0.1% uptick for the month.On a yearly basis, UK industrial output was 0.2% lower, against the 1% increase earlier and the consensus estimate of a 0.2% gain.
The UK's gross domestic product expanded 0.3% month over month in June, following a revised flat reading in May, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday.Analysts expected zero growth during the month.On a yearly basis, the British economy grew 1.1%, against the prior revised 1.2% expansion and the market forecast of a 0.8% rise.
The UK's quarterly gross domestic product rose 0.4% in the second quarter, after a 0.6% increase in the prior three-month period, preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics showed Thursday.The latest figure aligned with market expectations.On a yearly basis, the British economy expanded 1.2% in the quarter, against the consensus estimate of a 1.1% increase and the 0.9% growth earlier.
The UK Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors house price balance stood at -30% in July, up from the revised -32% in the previous month, according to residential market survey data released Thursday.The reading signaled more price declines than increases in the housing sector.House price expectations for the next three months stayed weak, with the balance at -31%, while the 12-month outlook was optimistic at 4%.
British equities traded on both sides of the line on Wednesday, with the benchmark FTSE 100 closing 0.18% lower, amid growing uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz blockade and the wider US-Iran conflict.Investors received mixed geopolitical news from across the globe. Pakistan's defense minister, Khawaja Asif, told Bloomberg that the US and Iran were nearing a possible "arrangement" to resume traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, a spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry told Al Jazeera that Oman and Iran were at an advanced stage of negotiations.At the same time, a Houthi strike in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait was suspected, and a US attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman was reported, with President Donald Trump saying "we totally control the Strait of Hormuz" and that "right now, we're in a very good position."In corporate news, Bunzl (BNZL.L) dropped 1.71% after Deutsche Bank Research downgraded the distribution and outsourcing group to hold from buy, while raising the price target to 30 pounds sterling from 29.5 pounds."2026 has brought positive volume growth (aided by easier comparatives and improved wins), a return to inflation (passing on geopolitically-driven product cost inflation) and restored service and product availability in its North America Distribution business. H1 results on 1 September should confirm better operational delivery, positive volume trends and a more supportive pricing backdrop. H2 also offers potential upside from more persistent product-cost inflation and renewed acquisition activity. However, with the shares having largely recovered the ground lost after the 2025 profit warning, and now trading closer to its long-run average valuation multiples, we believe these positives are more fairly reflected in the price," analysts said.Additionally, Hill & Smith (HILS.L) declined 5.35% after the construction and infrastructure products company's profit attributable to the owners of the parent for the six months ended June 30 fell to $47.7 million from $61.4 million a year ago."Overall, we are making good strategic progress, and we are well positioned to continue delivering against our medium-term financial framework. Following the strong first half and with sustained US momentum we now expect FY26 underlying operating profit to be modestly ahead of our previous expectations," Chief Executive Officer Rutger Helbing said, noting "challenging" UK trading conditions.On the upside, Balfour Beatty (BBY.L) climbed 7.91% after updating its 2026 outlook for net finance income between 35 million pounds and 40 million pounds, compared with its previous guidance range of 28 million pounds to 32 million pounds. The infrastructure company also raised its growth outlook for underlying profit from operations from earnings-based businesses to low double digits from high single digits.
The International Energy Agency expects global oil demand to fall more than previously anticipated in 2026, as maritime and supply chain disruptions caused by renewed hostilities between the US and Iran undermined recovery efforts.In its August oil market report published Wednesday, the IEA said global oil demand is now projected to decline by 1.6 million barrels per day on average in 2026, 510,000 barrels per day higher than its forecast a month ago, as fuel prices remained elevated due to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the interim ceasefire deal collapsed mid-June. Demand is anticipated to see growth in the final quarter of 2026, then expand by 2.4 million barrels per day in 2027.Meanwhile, global supply is now forecast to drop by an average of 4.3 million barrels of oil per day in 2026, to 102 million barrels per day, before rebounding by 8.3 million barrels per day to 110.3 million barrels per day in the next year."Although the market is projected to return to surplus towards the end of this year, risks remain substantial and the urgency of reopening the Strait has increased, as previously available inventory buffers are rapidly depleting," the IEA noted.
London's FTSE 100 closed 0.12% lower on Tuesday as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz remained elevated, while weaker-than-expected UK retail sales growth highlighted pressure on consumer demand.In response to Iran's demands over the weekend, the US set its own conditions for a near-term resolution to their conflict, which included war compensation. US President Donald Trump said this demand would be a part of "any, and all, future negotiations." As shipping through Hormuz remained virtually closed, Brent oil gained once again, propelling shares of energy majors BP (BP.L) and Shell (SHEL.L) up by 1.75% and 1.41%, respectively.At home, annual retail sales growth eased to 1% on a like-for-like basis in July, from 1.7% in June, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. Analysts had expected growth to slow down slightly to 1.6%. However, BRC said consumers were conscious of their budgets while shopping for summer clothes, home entertainment, and garden-related items during the warm weather."Consumer demand has struggled in the heat, leaving retailers facing a challenging start to the second half of the year," BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said. "Household budgets remain stretched, consumer confidence is fragile, and retailers continue to grapple with rising operating costs. If the Government wants to drive growth and keep inflation under control, it must reduce the cost of doing business by tackling the taxes and regulatory burdens that are holding back investment and putting upward pressure on prices."In corporate news, thermal energy and fluid technology company Spirax Group (SPX.L) reported year-over-year growth in first-half attributable profit to 97.5 million pounds sterling from 62.7 million pounds, with revenue rising 5% to 863.8 million pounds. However, the stock was the worst performer of the blue-chip index, falling 5.36% at the end of the session."Solid first half and unchanged FY [outlook] as strength in [Electric Thermal Solutions] / Watson Marlow is offset by a more limited progression in Steam," RBC Capital Markets said. "We expect cyclical improvement to continue in 2026, but with the share still at a sector premium on 2026E [enterprise value]/EBITA, a further re-rating likely needs more than just a cyclical uptick. We see the low medium-term growth profile at Steam (with volume growth at ~1% per annum) as a headwind to a higher valuation."Meanwhile, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG.L) was up 0.06% as interim attributable profit declined annually to $425 million from $469 million. "IHG's revenue came in line with consensus despite a slight miss in EBIT, while adjusted EPS beat thanks to strong margin delivery and buybacks," said AlphaValue/Baader Europe. "[Revenue per available room] growth accelerated, driven mainly by rate as fee revenue growth outpaced costs. Growth was broad-based, with the Americas leading, China returning to growth on leisure strength, and EMEAA holding up despite Middle East disruption."Lion Finance Group (BGEO.L) booked a yearly rise in first-half attributable profit and net operating income and announced a 59 million-Georgian-lari extension to its share buyback and cancellation program. The lender gained 0.96%.
UK consumer confidence hit a 21-month high in July, bolstered by higher spending in the hospitality and leisure sector on the back of warmer summer weather and England's participation in the World Cup, according to data from Barclays released Tuesday.Confidence in the strength of the country's economy reached 30% in July, up 6 percentage points on a monthly basis.Meanwhile, consumer card spending rose 2% year over year following a 1.9% rise in June, with spending on both essentials and non-essentials increasing.
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