The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.28% Lower

The FTSE 100 Index dropped 18 points or 0.17 percent on Friday to close at 10512 points. Losses were led by Croda International (-3.94%), Berkeley (-3.92%) and Vistry Group (-3.21%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Endeavour (3.08%), Coca-Cola (2.84%) and Burberry (2.77%).

The FTSE 100 edged down on Friday, tracking a broader decline in European equities fueled by retreating oil prices and a US technology selloff. Oil prices weakened on growing optimism surrounding a potential US-Iran peace deal and restored shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, directly hitting energy heavyweights BP and Shell, which dropped 2% and 0.8% respectively. Globally, market sentiment soured following a slide in Apple shares and reports that OpenAI might delay its initial public offering. This broader risk-off environment dragged down banks like HSBC by over 1.5%, and aerospace manufacturing giants Rolls-Royce (-1.4%). Mining majors Rio Tinto was down 0.4% and Glencore slid over 2%. Defying the downturn, pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca added 1.4%, and consumer staples Unilever rose 0.7% and British American Tobacco gained 1.5%. Despite Friday's loss, the UK index rose 1.5% this week.

The FTSE 100 Index is dropping 30 points. Leading the losses are Croda International (-2.43%), Fresnillo (-1.70%) and WPP (-1.69%). Top gainers were Imperial Brands (1.97%), British American Tobacco (1.79%) and Barratt Redrow (1.77%).