The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.15% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index gained 16 points or 0.15 percent on Tuesday to close at 10454 points. Gains were led by Bunzl (5.32%), British American Tobacco (3.35%) and Diageo (2.77%). Biggest losers were Antofagasta (-5.46%), Anglo American (-4.99%) and Glencore (-4.53%).

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Tuesday, outperforming global markets that suffered from souring sentiment surrounding artificial intelligence stocks. The UK index was supported by gains in major healthcare and consumer firms, as AstraZeneca rose 2.5%, GSK added 1.9%, Unilever climbed 1.6%, and British American Tobacco gained 3.4%. Additionally, Bunzl shares surged over 5% after a strong first half led the company to raise its annual revenue growth outlook. Conversely, mining stocks fell sharply, with Antofagasta dropping 5.6% and Anglo American losing 5%. Investors also monitored local political developments following the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with Andy Burnham widely expected to succeed him amid concerns over soaring public debt approaching 100% of economic output. These market movements unfolded alongside fresh economic data showing the domestic services sector contracted at its fastest rate in nearly three and a half years in June.

The FTSE 100 fell about 0.6% on Tuesday, reversing yesterday's modest advance, led by miners and tech investment funds while investors continued to assess the political situation in the UK. Copper miners Antofagasta and Anglo American slipped 5.2% and 4.2%, respectively, while gold miners Fresnillo plc and Endeavour Mining dropped 5% and 2.4%. Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust also declined 4.5%, tracking weakness in US tech amid a broader selloff and its exposure to SpaceX. Rio Tinto, Polar Capital Tech Trust and Glencore followed suit, down around 3%. HSBC and other major banks, along with oil majors Shell and BP, also declined. On the upside, top gainers included Babcock International Group and Marks and Spencer, up 2.9% and 2.5%, respectively. Bunzl rose 1.3% after upgrading its full-year outlook, supported by stronger-than-expected first-half trading and a small acquisition in Australia.