The FTSE 100 is trading around 0.1% lower in early trading on Thursday, giving back an earlier advance, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.3% as investors weighed rising bond yields and escalating US-Iran tensions.
European markets are softer across the board, with the DAX down 0.6%, the CAC 40 off 0.5% and the Stoxx 50 down 0.4%.
Sentiment remains fragile after reports that Tehran said it “won’t be bullied” but remains open to talks, even as Washington keeps up pressure over the Strait of Hormuz.
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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.
The standoff has kept a bid under oil, with Brent crude up 1.6% at $104.74 and WTI up 1.4% at $93.48. Gold has slipped 0.1% to $4,283 an ounce, silver eased 0.4% to $63.22, and sterling edged up 0.1% against the dollar to 1.3252.
FTSE 100 movers: British American Tobacco leads the risers, up 2.19%, followed by JD Sports Fashion (+2.10%).
Miners also feature strongly, with Glencore up 1.99% and Antofagasta up 1.66%, likely tracking firmer commodity prices.
Energy majors gained on the oil rally, with BP up 1.45% and Shell adding 0.8%. On the downside, Standard Life fell 3.67%, Kingfisher dropped 2.24% and Computacenter slipped 1.64%.
FTSE 250 movers: Raspberry Pi Holdings surged 13.86% after its interim results impressed the market.
Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company rose 3.32% and Brunner Investment Trust gained 2.05%.
Fallers were led by housebuilder Vistry Group, down 7.91% following disappointing half-year results for the period to 30 June.
AO World dropped 5.59% after a trading statement, while CVS Group fell 5.53% on its final results for the year to 30 June 2026.
Elsewhere, Halma issued a trading update, Hikma Pharmaceuticals has appointed Rebecca Hall as CFO, and Mitchells & Butlers and ASOS both published pre-close trading updates, alongside preliminary results from DFS Furniture.
