The FTSE 100 hovered near the flatline on Tuesday after a 0.4% decline in the previous session, as gains in energy stocks helped counter broader market weakness. Shares in Shell and BP each advanced more than 1% as oil prices rose, amid renewed uncertainty over a potential deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following tougher demands on Iran from US President Donald Trump.
In contrast, InterContinental Hotels Group fell more than 2% despite posting better‑than‑expected first-half profits, driven by robust trading in the US and Greater China that helped offset disruption in the Middle East. Housebuilder Bellway also struck a cautious tone, warning that the near-term outlook remains uncertain even though it beat forecasts for home completions and housing revenue.
On the data front, the British Retail Consortium reported that UK retail sales rose 1.3% year-on-year in July, below the 12‑month average growth rate of 1.8%. By comparison, Barclays’ broader consumer spending measure climbed 2%, its strongest increase so far this year.
