FTSE 100 Starts May on a Down Note

2026-05-01 07:32 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

The FTSE 100 declined 0.4% to 10,340 points in the first trading session of May, dragged down by banking stocks after NatWest’s earnings report and escalating concerns over the Middle East.

NatWest posted a Q1 pretax operating profit of £2.03 billion, surpassing expectations and reinforcing its income outlook, but warned of economic headwinds from the Iran conflict.

Pearson gained over 1% as the education publisher reported a 4% rise in Q1 sales, driven by strong performance in its Virtual Learning division, and reaffirmed its 2026 guidance.

Diageo shares jumped 1.6% following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would lift some tariffs on Scotch whisky after a visit from King Charles III.

Elsewhere, oil prices continued to climb, as Trump maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

On the macroeconomic front, UK house price growth slowed to 0.4% in April from 0.9% in March, defying forecasts of a 0.3% decline.



News Stream
FTSE 100 Starts May on a Down Note
The FTSE 100 declined 0.4% to 10,340 points in the first trading session of May, dragged down by banking stocks after NatWest’s earnings report and escalating concerns over the Middle East. NatWest posted a Q1 pretax operating profit of £2.03 billion, surpassing expectations and reinforcing its income outlook, but warned of economic headwinds from the Iran conflict. Pearson gained over 1% as the education publisher reported a 4% rise in Q1 sales, driven by strong performance in its Virtual Learning division, and reaffirmed its 2026 guidance. Diageo shares jumped 1.6% following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would lift some tariffs on Scotch whisky after a visit from King Charles III. Elsewhere, oil prices continued to climb, as Trump maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports. On the macroeconomic front, UK house price growth slowed to 0.4% in April from 0.9% in March, defying forecasts of a 0.3% decline.
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