-- London's FTSE 100 closed 0.11% higher on Tuesday as investors examined the first batch of first-quarter earnings from corporate heavyweights.
Oil major BP (BP.L) gained 1.12% after profit attributable to shareholders for the three months ended March 31 surged year over year to $3.84 billion from $687 million, thanks to higher margins and oil trading contribution.
"BP reported strong numbers this morning, with a 20% beat vs. market expectations at the net income level (7% ahead of RBCe)," RBC Capital Markets said. "Looking divisionally, the star of the show was the downstream, with BP reporting higher refining & trading numbers, well in excess of consensus and ~$200m ahead of our estimates for the quarter, supported by exceptional oil trading results."
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP.L) rose 1.89% after reporting fiscal first-quarter revenue of 5 billion euros, up from 4.69 billion euros a year earlier. The bottling company also reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting revenue growth of 3% to 4% and operating profit growth of 7%.
"Whilst the consumer environment remains challenging and the full impact of the situation in the Middle East is uncertain, we are resilient," Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Chief Executive Officer Damian Gammell said.
On the economic front, the UK's shop price inflation edged down to 1% year over year in April from 1.2% in March, the British Retail Consortium said. The consensus estimate for the month was 1.5%. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson attributed the increase to discounts offered by retailers on certain Easter goods to encourage spending.
"Increased fuel prices are already leading to higher inflation, and we can expect a similar impact in the food and non-food supply chains in the months to come," said consumer intelligence firm NIQ's head of retailer and business insight, Mike Watkins. "However, retailers will look to hold back any price increases as long as possible as alongside fragile consumer confidence, accelerating inflation is likely to negatively affect consumer spending."