The FTSE 100 Index Closes 2.49% Lower

The FTSE 100 Index dropped -256 points or 2.49 percent on Thursday to close at 10049 points. Losses were led by Barratt Redrow (-8.87%), Natwest (-8.59%) and M&G (-7.78%).

The FTSE 100 dropped more than 2% on Thursday to its lowest level in over two months as markets reacted to central banks’ assessments of the Middle East conflict. The Bank of England kept rates unchanged in a unanimous decision but signaled that a hike remains possible if inflation rises, while the European Central Bank also held rates steady. Surging oil and gas prices weighed on sentiment, overshadowing relatively positive labour data showing easing unemployment and slower wage growth. Banking stocks led declines, with HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest falling between 3.1% and 8.5%. Heavyweights also came under pressure, with Unilever down 3%, Rolls Royce nearly 5% and Rio Tinto close to 5%, while Shell, AstraZeneca, BAT and GSK also declined. Nearly all stocks fell, with BP the exception, rising over 4% after agreeing to sell its Gelsenkirchen refinery to Klesch Group.

The FTSE 100 Index is falling -160 points. Losses were driven by Endeavour (-6.04%), Antofagasta (-5.90%) and Fresnillo (-5.84%).