The FTSE 100 slipped on Friday, weighed down by weakness in heavyweight consumer goods, healthcare, and banking shares. Unilever lost more than 2%, while AstraZeneca and GSK each fell by around 0.5%. Major lenders HSBC Holdings and Lloyds Banking Group also traded lower.
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) declined more than 1% after second-quarter revenue missed expectations, with the company citing continued disruption to air travel from the conflict in the Middle East.
In contrast, NatWest jumped more than 4% after lifting its full-year guidance and signalling it may undertake further share buybacks. Sainsbury’s rose about 2% following news of the sale of its Argos business.
Energy stocks outperformed, with BP and Shell gaining between 1.3% and 1.8% as oil prices extended a sharp monthly rally of more than 20%.
Despite Friday’s pullback, the FTSE 100 finished the week more than 1% higher and recorded a monthly gain of roughly 3.5%, its best showing since February.
