The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.13% Lower

The FTSE 100 Index dropped 14 points or 0.13 percent on Tuesday to close at 10848 points. Losses were led by Spirax-Sarco Engineering (-6.47%), M&G (-3.31%) and Legal & General (-3.12%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were St. Jamess (2.94%), Endeavour (2.70%) and Entain (2.25%).

The FTSE 100 was little changed on Tuesday, underperforming other European markets as weakness in defensive stocks offset gains among energy companies. AstraZeneca fell around 1%, GSK dropped more than 1.5% and Unilever declined about 0.6%, while Shell and BP advanced 1.4% and 1.8%, respectively. Renewed hopes for a potential Middle East agreement eased some concerns over oil supplies and trimmed the recent rally in crude prices. Pakistan signaled that the US and Iran could be close to an arrangement aimed at reducing tensions and potentially supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Elsewhere, InterContinental Hotels Group fell more than 2% despite reporting first-half profit above expectations. Bellway also warned of an uncertain near-term outlook despite exceeding forecasts for home completions and housing revenue. Meanwhile, UK retail sales rose 1.3% year-on-year in July, while Barclays reported consumer spending growth of 2%, its strongest this year.

The FTSE 100 traded around the flatline on Tuesday after falling 0.4% in the previous session, with gains in energy stocks helping to offset broader weakness. Shell and BP both rose more than 1% as oil prices climbed amid renewed uncertainty over a potential agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump issued tougher demands on Iran. Elsewhere, InterContinental Hotels Group fell more than 2% despite reporting first-half profit above expectations, supported by strong performance in the US and Greater China, which offset disruption in the Middle East. Housebuilder Bellway also warned that the near-term outlook remained uncertain despite exceeding forecasts for home completions and housing revenue. On the data front, the BRC reported that UK retail sales rose 1.3% year-on-year in July, below the 12-month average of 1.8%. However, Barclays’ broader consumer spending measure increased 2%, marking its strongest growth of the year.