FTSE 100 Edges Lower Amid Fragile Middle East Ceasefire; Shell and BP Shares Rise

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.

WELCOME BONUS - Free Share Bundle When You Invest £50! Get up to £500 cashback for investing with IG.

Invest in 15,000+ shares and ETFs. Open an account now, invest at least £50, and you’ll get a free share bundle worth between £40 and £200. T&Cs apply.

5.0

Open Account Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

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.