FTSE 100 Falls on Weak Data, Middle East Deadlock

2026-05-21 11:47 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

The FTSE 100 extended losses to 10,380 on Thursday afternoon, weighed on by downbeat data and concerns that the Middle East conflict could remain deadlocked.

The flash PMI survey showed British companies are suffering the most widespread drop in activity in over a year, due to economic fallout from the Iran war and political uncertainty at home.

Meanwhile, UK factory orders in May contracted at the fastest rate since September 2020 as selling prices surged due to the war.

The prolonged conflict has driven up oil prices and intensified inflation concerns.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has reportedly ordered near weapons-grade uranium to remain in the country, hardening Tehran’s stance on a key US demand at peace talks.

Among individual movers, Autotrader tumbled 9% to the bottom of the index after reporting slower sales.

Convatec Group fell 8% after flagging margin pressure, while EasyJet declined after warning the Middle East conflict would hit its second-half 2026 performance.



News Stream
FTSE 100 Falls on Weak Data, Middle East Deadlock
The FTSE 100 extended losses to 10,380 on Thursday afternoon, weighed on by downbeat data and concerns that the Middle East conflict could remain deadlocked. The flash PMI survey showed British companies are suffering the most widespread drop in activity in over a year, due to economic fallout from the Iran war and political uncertainty at home. Meanwhile, UK factory orders in May contracted at the fastest rate since September 2020 as selling prices surged due to the war. The prolonged conflict has driven up oil prices and intensified inflation concerns. Iran’s Supreme Leader has reportedly ordered near weapons-grade uranium to remain in the country, hardening Tehran’s stance on a key US demand at peace talks. Among individual movers, Autotrader tumbled 9% to the bottom of the index after reporting slower sales. Convatec Group fell 8% after flagging margin pressure, while EasyJet declined after warning the Middle East conflict would hit its second-half 2026 performance.
2026-05-21
FTSE 100 Slips as US-Iran Tensions Flare
The FTSE 100 slipped to 10,400 on Thursday, trimming a 1% gain from the previous session, as oil prices rose and investors digested flash PMI data. Brent crude climbed about 1% to $106 a barrel, stoking inflation fears amid escalating US-Iran tensions. President Donald Trump said negotiations were in the "final stages" but threatened renewed attacks if Iran rejected his terms. In the UK, Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepared to outline cost-of-living measures, though a proposed cap on essential grocery prices was scrapped after industry backlash, the Financial Times reported. EasyJet shares fell 0.3% after warning the Middle East conflict would impact its second-half 2026 performance.
2026-05-21
The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.43% Lower
The FTSE 100 Index is losing 44 points. Losses were led by Fresnillo (-2.98%), Whitbread (-2.56%) and Convatec Group (-2.10%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Scottish Mortgage (1.82%), Experian (1.62%) and Babcock International (1.39%).
2026-05-21