The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.16% Higher

The FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher on Wednesday after a 0.8% gain in the previous session, marking a third straight day of advances as markets recover some losses linked to the war in Iran. However, the UK index lagged its regional peers, partly due to declines in oil majors Shell (-0.4%) and BP (-0.4%) as crude prices pulled back, reversing some of the support they provided earlier in the week. The broader positive sentiment lifted travel and financial shares, while investors rotated away from defensive sectors such as utilities and telecoms that had recently outperformed. Gains were stronger in areas like construction and technology, where the UK has less exposure compared to continental markets, leaving the FTSE 100 trailing the wider European rebound.

The FTSE 100 Index is gaining 17 points or 0.16 percent on Wednesday. Leading the gains are Diploma (16.20%), Antofagasta (2.72%) and Weir (2.45%). Top losers are Relx (-1.67%), British American Tobacco (-1.53%) and National Grid (-1.43%).

The FTSE 100 Index went up by 90 points or 0.88 percent on Tuesday to close at 10408 points. The rise was led by Airtel Africa (4.96%), Standard Chartered (3.74%) and BT (2.89%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were B&M European Value (-1.94%), Halma (-1.41%) and GlaxoSmithKline (-0.99%).