The FTSE 100 was broadly flat on Tuesday, as weakness in pharmaceutical, consumer, and banking stocks was largely offset by gains in commodity-linked names. AstraZeneca slipped 1.3%, while GSK lost 2.5%. BAT declined 0.7% and Rolls-Royce eased 0.5%. In the banking sector, Lloyds Banking Group was among the worst performers, down 1.2%. Computacenter ended the session 5% lower, surrendering an earlier rally that followed strong results.
By contrast, energy and mining stocks advanced on the back of firmer commodity prices. Shell rose 0.7% and BP gained 0.8%, while Rio Tinto added 1.5%. Glencore jumped 4% as copper prices climbed to another record high. The rise in oil prices reinforced concerns that inflationary pressures could keep interest rates higher for longer, with Brent crude nearing $100 a barrel before trimming some of its gains.
On the data front, UK retail sales rose 0.7% in August, according to the British Retail Consortium—well below the 12‑month average growth rate of 1.6% and the 3.1% increase recorded in August last year.
