The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.99% Lower

The FTSE 100 Index is dropping 104 points. Leading the losses are Fresnillo (-3.95%), Endeavour (-3.81%) and Entain (-2.99%). Top gainers were Melrose (1.00%), BAE Systems (0.97%) and Aviva (0.61%).

The FTSE 100 traded 0.9% lower on Thursday, snapping an eight-session winning streak and underperforming other European markets as weakness in miners and utilities outweighed gains in energy stocks. Sentiment was pressured after the US carried out air strikes on targets in Iran, driving oil prices higher and underscoring the fragility of recent peace talk momentum. Mining stocks led declines, with Fresnillo and Endeavour Mining falling more than 3%, while Antofagasta, Rio Tinto and Anglo American also moved lower. Utilities were also under pressure, with National Grid down more than 2.5% and Severn Trent losing 2.4%. In contrast, oil majors BP and Shell gained around 0.5% each as crude prices advanced. SSE was little changed after reporting earnings above expectations and announcing plans to increase capital expenditure to more than £5 billion, focused on networks and renewable energy projects.

The FTSE 100 Index went up by 15 points or 0.15 percent on Wednesday to close at 10507 points. The rise was led by JD Sports Fashion (5.68%), Burberry (3.83%) and Marks & Spencer (3.82%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Tesco (-2.85%), BP (-2.75%) and Centrica (-2.52%).