The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.21% Lower

The FTSE 100 fell around 0.3% on Monday, weighed down by weakness in major consumer stocks, with Unilever and BAT declining 1.6% and 1.5%, respectively. The losses were partly offset by gains in energy shares, as Shell and BP rose 0.7% and 1.5% alongside higher crude prices. Investor focus remained firmly on developments in the US-Iran conflict, with tensions persisting after reports that the US had struck three Iranian oil tankers following attacks on US warships. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also warned that a new nuclear agreement with Tehran may not be reached soon, suggesting Washington could instead focus on eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, domestic data showed UK house prices fell 0.2% in August, pushing annual prices into negative territory for the first time since November 2023, according to Lloyds.

The FTSE 100 Index is losing 23 points. Losses were led by Fresnillo (-2.92%), Haleon (-2.18%) and Diageo (-1.86%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were BP (1.54%), Admiral (1.21%) and Melrose (1.01%).

The FTSE 100 Index dropped 2 points or 0.02 percent on Friday to close at 10829 points. Losses were led by Experian (-4.37%), Prudential (-1.95%) and 3i (-1.93%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Computacenter (3.17%), Kingfisher (2.82%) and Vodafone (2.43%).