UK markets open cautiously as Gulf tensions pressure shares, Mortgage Advice Bureau cuts guidance and Anpario reports earnings growth.
Market Overview
The FTSE 100 opened broadly unchanged at 10,811.44, down 0.002 per cent from its previous close, as escalating Middle East strikes and renewed concerns over regional oil supplies weighed on sentiment. The Euronext 100 gained 0.04 per cent to 1,921.92, while Germany’s DAX fell 0.57 per cent to 25,858.82 as investors also weighed the prospect of further ECB tightening. In the US, the Nasdaq closed lower at 26,421.41 and the S&P 500 declined to 7,673.52.
Commodity moves were mixed, with copper and Brent crude lower at the market open, gold unchanged and natural gas slightly higher. Oil remained a key macro focus as escalating attacks in the Middle East heightened concerns over regional supply disruption. Against sterling, the US dollar, Swiss franc, euro and Australian dollar strengthened marginally, while the Japanese yen weakened slightly. Bitcoin was up.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Down (-0.002%), 10,811.44
Euronext 100: Up (+0.04%), 1,921.92
DAX: Down (-0.57%), 25,858.82
NASDAQ: Down, 26,421.41
S&P 500: Down, 7,673.52
In the Headlines
Guidance lowered – Mortgage Advice Bureau (LSE:MAB1)
Mortgage Advice Bureau lowered its full-year 2026 adjusted profit before tax guidance to around £38 million, below market consensus, citing softer housing conditions and delayed lead flows at Fluent. The mortgage intermediary expects the delayed Fluent profit contribution to shift into 2027.
Earnings growth – Anpario (LSE:ANP)
Animal feed additives manufacturer Anpario reported first-half revenue growth of 7% to £24.3 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 22% to £5.0 million. Growth in key brands and the Americas supported the performance, although weaker Asian demand and the Iran conflict created regional headwinds.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Up (+0.01%), $1.3544
CHF: Up (+0.004%), Fr.1.0958
EUR: Up (+0.01%), €1.1648
JPY: Down (-0.01%), ¥207.837
AUD: Up (+0.003%), $1.8756
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Up, £58,428.84
Commodities
Copper: Down
Gold: Unchanged
Brent Crude: Down
Natural Gas: Up
Leave a Reply