FTSE 100 Flat as UK Inflation Rises; Fresnillo Gains, JD Sports Shares Tumble

The FTSE 100 is flat on Wednesday morning as data showing UK inflation climbed to 3.3% in March, up from 3% in February, weighed on sentiment.

The rise has been driven by a sharp spike in fuel prices stemming from the Iran war. The FTSE 250 is marginally higher at +0.1%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 are both down 0.3%.

Fresnillo leads the FTSE 100 risers, up 2.1%, supported by a bounce in gold and silver prices. The miner also released its first-quarter production report, with CEO Octavio Alvídrez noting that operations are progressing in line with full-year guidance.

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Gold production came in at 136.1 thousand ounces, up 0.7% quarter-on-quarter, while silver production of 11.1 million ounces was down 8.5% versus the prior quarter.

BP is up 1.7%, and St James’s Place has gained 1.5%.

On the downside, Reckitt Benckiser is the biggest faller, dropping 5% after its first-quarter results highlighted concerns over sustained high commodity prices. The company warned that oil remaining at $110 a barrel for the rest of 2026 could result in a gross input cost impact of £130 million to £150 million.

JD Sports has fallen 4.9% after announcing that Chair Andrew Higginson will step down following the company’s AGM on 21 July 2026, with a successor search now underway. Darren Shapland will become Interim Chair following the 2026 AGM.

Melrose Industries is another big faller, down 3.1%.