FTSE 100 Live: UK Index Rises Past Geopolitical Fear, Brent Crude Slips to $92.70

The FTSE 100 opened 30 points higher at 10,287 despite a second consecutive night of US airstrikes on Iran and retaliatory missile attacks, with investors awaiting a key interest rate decision from the European Central Bank later today. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures declined 0.42% to $92.70 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.33% to $89.73 ‌a barrel.

Gainers & Losers 

Prudential gained 3.87% to £962, while Standard Chartered advanced 3.24% to £1,849 and Intertek Group climbed 2.93% to £5,625. HSBC Holdings also moved higher, adding 2.49% to £1,325.60, while Fresnillo rose 2.31% to £2,885. Airtel Africa rounded out the top gainers, increasing 2.19% to £354.80.

On the downside, ICG declined 3.44% to £1,738, while RELX slipped 2.51% to £2,484, and London Stock Exchange Group dropped 1.64% to £8,866. Unilever also edged lower by 1% to £4,357.50, while Games Workshop Group fell 0.84% to £18,860.

Halma Share Declines

Halma’s profit and 47th year of dividend growth were not enough to sway investors, as its share price fell. Shares crashed 11.6% to £4,102, with shares down 10.7% over the last month. 

Analysts pinned the decline to the safety and equipment maker anticipating another year of low double-digit sales growth, less than 2026’s 16.6% uplift. 

Investors also weighed up potential future uncertainty, as Halma continues to experience “varied conditions” in certain markets.

Paypoint’s Profit Increases

Paypoint swung back into profit following a £14.2 million claim settlement denting profit last year. 

The firm’s pre-tax profit was up 111% from last year to £55.5 million as it bounced back from the settlement and enjoyed an uplift in income. 

Total revenue was up 8.5% to £337 million after its expansion into open banking with a partnership with Obconnect. Chief executive Nick Wiles said the firm was targeting revenue growth of 5% to 8% for 2027.

Wizz Air Profit Declines

Wizz Air said its net profit fell from €214 million to €1 million due to route cancellations, while operating profit slipped 17% to €140 million. 

The budget airline is also battling the travel disruption caused by the Iran war, which caused it to cancel routes in the Middle East and Cyprus in March, though these flights have since been resumed. 

These decisions were made “to position the business for long-term resilience and competitiveness,” chief executive Józef Váradi said.

Also Read: Stock Market Today: Sensex Slips 311 Points to 73,672; Nifty50 Drops to 23,128

Global Market View

In US, the tech-heavy Nasdaq and the blue-chip Dow Jones both fell sharply, down 2% and 1.9% respectively, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.6%.

In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.2% to 7,7468.8 points. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.09%, while Taiwan’s TAIEX recorded a 0.1% loss. China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.6%. In India, the Sensex climbed 0.13%, while Nifty 50 rose 0.06%.