The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.22% Lower

The FTSE 100 Index gained 66 points or 0.63 percent on Thursday to close at 10431 points. Gains were led by B&M European Value (6.77%), 3i (3.87%) and Shell (2.88%). Biggest losers were Compass (-99.03%), Taylor Wimpey (-4.42%) and Endeavour (-2.46%).

The FTSE 100 climbed over 0.5% on Thursday, outperforming European peers as oil surged to $110 a barrel. Meanwhile, reports emerged that Iran is drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, citing Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. The update followed a speech by President Donald Trump that provided no clear roadmap for ending the Middle East conflict, keeping investors cautious. Oil majors Shell and BP gained nearly 3% each, while pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and GSK rose 1.9% and 1.7%, respectively. BAT advanced more than 2%, and discount retailer B&M jumped over 5% after a rating upgrade. Conversely, banks including HSBC Holdings and NatWest slipped more than 1%, reflecting ongoing risk sentiment in the sector. Markets in the UK are closed Friday for the Easter holiday.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.5% on Thursday, snapping a three session winning streak as concerns grew over a potential escalation in the Middle East conflict following President Donald Trump’s address, which offered no clear timeline for resolution and pointed to more aggressive action in the coming weeks, including possible strikes on infrastructure. Mining stocks led losses with Fresnillo and Endeavour down around 6%, while Antofagasta, Anglo American and Rio Tinto also declined sharply. Banks came under pressure, with HSBC, Standard Chartered and Barclays falling about 2% and Lloyds down 1.5% as it reviewed the impact of a motor finance redress scheme. The index was partly supported by its heavy exposure to energy, with Shell and BP gaining on higher oil prices. Elsewhere, B&M rose more than 5% after a rating upgrade, while broader moves reflected ongoing volatility in commodity markets.