FTSE 100 flat at the open as the DAX gains; Capita secures £30 million financing, Strategic Minerals net assets double and Brent crude eases
Market Overview
London opened almost unchanged this morning. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.0009 per cent to 10,679.89, while European markets were firmer: the Euronext 100 rose 0.0560 per cent to 1,890.94 and the DAX gained 0.6936 per cent to 25,441.79. Sentiment was helped by reports that the US and Iran are discussing a phased path out of the conflict, centred on Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief. Elevated bond yields and global rate-hike expectations continued to weigh on the wider picture. On Wall Street, the Nasdaq closed 0.01 per cent higher at 26,939.37 and the S&P 500 finished 0.02 per cent lower at 7,704.13.
In commodities, Brent crude eased after sharp gains in the previous session as the diplomatic reports tempered supply fears. Physical risks remain, with sharply reduced vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and renewed Houthi missile strikes on Saudi Arabia. Copper and natural gas edged lower, while gold was slightly firmer. Bitcoin fell against sterling. The pound was mixed, gaining slightly against the yen and the Australian dollar and softening marginally against the Swiss franc and the euro. Investors are also watching the Trump-Xi summit in Washington and Europe’s gas storage deficits.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Down (-0.0009%), 10,679.89
Euronext 100: Up (+0.0560%), 1,890.94
DAX: Up (+0.6936%), 25,441.79
NASDAQ: Up (+0.01%), 26,939.37
S&P 500: Down (-0.02%), 7,704.13
In the Headlines
£30 million facilities – Capita (LSE:CPI)
Business services provider Capita has secured £30 million of new financing from Shawbrook Bank: a £15 million revolving credit facility and a £15 million term loan, both maturing in September 2029. The funds will go towards general corporate purposes and refinancing existing debt. They add to the group’s existing £325 million facility and support its liquidity position.
Redmoor resource upgrade – Strategic Minerals (LSE:SML)
AIM-listed Strategic Minerals reported first-half 2026 results in which net assets more than doubled and the inferred resource at its Redmoor tungsten-copper-tin project in Cornwall rose 49 per cent. Cash stood at US$10.0 million after an £8.7 million fundraise, which strengthens the company’s ability to fund pre-feasibility work at its flagship asset.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Down (-0.0166%), $1.3209
CHF: Down (-0.0009%), Fr.1.0941
EUR: Down (-0.0017%), €1.1614
JPY: Up (+0.0071%), ¥209.82
AUD: Up (+0.0074%), $1.8859
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Down (-0.50%), £63,473.2
Commodities
Copper: Down
Gold: Up
Brent Crude: Down
Natural Gas: Down
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