The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.48% Lower

The FTSE 100 Index dropped 49 points or 0.48 percent on Friday to close at 10228 points. Losses were led by Babcock International (-4.32%), Rolls-Royce (-3.29%) and Easyjet Plc (-3.13%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were BT (5.64%), JD Sports Fashion (4.36%) and Whitbread (2.80%).

The FTSE 100 fell 0.5% on Friday, extending a 1.6% loss in the previous session, as oil prices climbed back above $100 per barrel amid renewed Middle East tensions. Losses were broad-based, with financial, industrial and energy stocks leading the decline. Intertek dropped more than 4% after rejecting another takeover approach from EQT, saying the offer undervalued the company. IAG fell over 2.5% after issuing a profit warning tied to higher fuel costs, although the airline group said demand remains strong and it is 70% hedged on jet fuel for the rest of the year. Rightmove (-0.4%) reaffirmed its full-year outlook despite slower activity early in 2026. Investors also digested the results of UK local and devolved elections. On the data front, Halifax reported UK house prices slipped 0.1% in April, while annual growth slowed to 0.4%, leaving the average home price at £299,313. The FTSE 100 is down more than 1.5% for the week.

The FTSE 100 Index is dropping 81 points. Leading the losses are Intertek (-4.14%), International Airlines Group (-3.99%) and Endeavour (-1.93%). Top gainers were BT (2.75%), Games Workshop Group (0.69%) and Vodafone (0.52%).