The FTSE 100 was broadly flat on Monday, lacking clear direction for a second consecutive session. Political attention centered on Andy Burnham, who dominated headlines with a high-profile speech setting out extensive plans for economic growth, greater devolution, and tackling youth unemployment.
On the corporate front, weaker metal prices weighed on heavyweight mining stocks. Endeavour dropped more than 3%, Fresnillo slipped almost 2%, Anglo American fell 2.2%, and Antofagasta lost 1.9%. British American Tobacco declined 0.7% after confirming it would cut or outsource nearly 20% of its global workforce by the end of the year.
In contrast, BT gained 0.5% after announcing a strategic global enterprise partnership with Verizon. Among other blue chips, Rolls-Royce advanced nearly 1%, while BP rose 0.7% as crude oil prices edged higher on signs of a slowdown in key shipping routes across the Middle East.
