The FTSE 100 fell 0.5% on Thursday, ending a three-session winning streak as worries mounted over a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East. President Donald Trump’s address offered no clear timeline for resolution and signaled the prospect of more aggressive action in the coming weeks, including possible strikes on key infrastructure.
Mining stocks led the declines, with Fresnillo and Endeavour dropping around 6%, and Antofagasta, Anglo American and Rio Tinto also posting sharp losses. Banks were under pressure as well: HSBC, Standard Chartered and Barclays slipped about 2%, while Lloyds fell 1.5% as it continued to assess the impact of a motor finance redress scheme.
The index found some support from its significant weighting in energy stocks, as Shell and BP advanced on the back of higher oil prices. Elsewhere, B&M gained more than 5% following a rating upgrade, while broader market moves underscored ongoing volatility in commodity markets.
