The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.54% Lower

The FTSE 100 fell to around 10,400 points on Thursday, its lowest level since June 19, as rising oil prices and renewed pressure in global bond markets weighed on sentiment. Investors also digested Federal Reserve minutes indicating that most policymakers expected another interest-rate increase this year. Brent crude reached a two-week high amid concerns over escalating Middle East tensions and potential supply disruptions, adding to inflation worries. Among individual stocks, Tesco surged more than 3% after first-half adjusted operating profit rose 6.3% to £1.78 billion, prompting the supermarket to raise its full-year guidance and increase its share buyback to £950 million. Imperial Brands gained 3% after announcing a £1.5 billion buyback, while Vodafone fell 1% after raising its annual VodafoneThree cost-saving target to £1 billion by 2032. UK housing sentiment also weakened, with the RICS house-price balance falling to -32% in September from -28% in August.

The FTSE 100 Index is falling 57 points. Losses were driven by Standard Life (-5.54%), Rolls-Royce (-2.24%) and Melrose (-2.12%). Biggest rises came from Imperial Brands (3.38%), Tesco (3.38%) and J Sainsbury (2.29%).

The FTSE 100 Index dropped 85 points or 0.81 percent on Wednesday to close at 10456 points. Losses were led by Prudential (-4.60%), Standard Chartered (-4.51%) and HSBC Holdings (-4.24%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were JD Sports Fashion (3.09%), Reckitt Benckiser (2.63%) and Marks & Spencer (2.26%).