The FTSE 100 is down 0.2% on Thursday morning as markets remain cautious amid signs that the Middle East ceasefire is already coming under strain, with Brent crude resuming its rise.
The FTSE 250 is off 1%, while Germany’s DAX has fallen 0.9% and France’s CAC 40 is down 0.7%.
Energy stocks are bucking the broader trend, with BP up 2.5% and Shell gaining around 0.8% as oil prices bounce. DCC leads the FTSE 100 risers at +2.7%, with Glencore also among the gainers, up 1.7%. Defensive names are seeing demand amid the uncertain backdrop.
Ready to put what you’ve learned into practice?
Try IG’s platform with £10,000 in virtual funds and practise trading
without putting your own money at risk.
Try IG with a demo account →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Learn the markets with IG Academy
Build your knowledge with IG Academy educational content, then use a
demo account to practise what you’ve learned on the IG platform.
Explore IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
See how trading works before risking real money
IG’s demo gives you access to thousands of markets and £10,000 in
virtual funds, so you can explore the platform and test your ideas first.
Open an IG demo →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Turn trading theory into practical experience
Learn with IG Academy, explore charts and market tools, and practise
strategies in a simulated trading environment before going live.
Start practising with IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Ready to take your learning further?
IG combines market education, analysis and an established trading platform,
giving you the tools to keep learning as you develop your trading skills.
Discover IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
On the downside, Standard Life leads the fallers, dropping 3.7%, followed by Compass Group at -3.2% and Reckitt Benckiser, which is off 2.9%.
In corporate news, FTSE 100 member Metlen Energy & Metals reported full-year 2025 results, with revenue rising 25% to €7.1 billion. However, EBITDA fell to €753 million from €1.08 billion the prior year, largely due to losses in its MPP sub-sector, while net profit halved to €314 million.
Outside the FTSE, hydrogen technology firm ITM Power has rallied after securing a £40 million investment from Great British Energy, alongside a government grant of £46.5 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Searching for the Perfect Broker?
Discover our top-recommended brokers for trading or investing in financial markets. Dive in and test their capabilities with complimentary demo accounts today!
YOUR CAPITAL IS AT RISK. 76% OF RETAIL CFD ACCOUNTS LOSE MONEY
