FTSE 100 Cautiously Higher

2026-07-22 07:39 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Wednesday as investors balanced softer-than-expected UK inflation against another rise in oil prices, with commodity-related stocks leading gains.

UK annual inflation slowed to 2.6% in June from 2.8% in May, below market expectations of 2.7% and the lowest reading since March 2025, helped by lower petrol prices.

Meanwhile, Brent crude climbed to its highest level in more than a month after President Donald Trump warned of further strikes on Iran and vowed retaliation if Iran-backed Houthi forces disrupted shipping in the Red Sea.

Higher oil prices supported energy shares, with Shell and BP gaining 0.5% and 1%, respectively.

Mining stocks also advanced, with Endeavour Mining and Fresnillo rising 2.5% and 1%, while Fresnillo reaffirmed it remains on track to meet its production guidance.

Banks and defence stocks also traded higher, adding to the index's modest gains.



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