FTSE 100 opens flat as bond yields weigh, while Shell flags higher refining margins, Hollywood Bowl posts record revenue and Bitcoin falls.
Market Overview
The FTSE 100 opened broadly flat but slightly higher at 10,542.18, up 0.001 per cent from its previous close, as rising US government bond yields and weakness among mining stocks weighed on sentiment. The Euronext 100 slipped 0.07 per cent, while Germany’s DAX fell 0.88 per cent as European equities faced renewed oil supply concerns and caution ahead of Federal Reserve minutes. On Wall Street, the Nasdaq closed higher at 27,599.89, while the S&P 500 also advanced to 7,818.93.
Commodity markets were mixed, with copper and gold lower, natural gas higher and Brent crude edging down despite continued focus on supply risks from storms and Middle East tensions. Bitcoin weakened against sterling. The US dollar, Swiss franc and Japanese yen strengthened against the pound, while the euro and Australian dollar weakened.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Higher (+0.001%), 10,542.18
Euronext 100: Lower (-0.07%), 1,882.29
DAX: Lower (-0.88%), 25,225.22
NASDAQ: Higher, 27,599.89
S&P 500: Higher, 7,818.93
In the Headlines
Higher refining margins – Shell (LSE:SHEL)
Shell expects its indicative refining margin to rise to around $42 per barrel in the third quarter, while upstream production is forecast to remain broadly stable. Net debt is expected to increase following the ARC Resources acquisition, putting the balance sheet alongside improved refining economics in focus.
Record annual revenue – Hollywood Bowl Group (LSE:BOWL)
Hollywood Bowl reported record FY26 revenue of £261.6 million, up 4.3%, with growth across its UK and Canadian operations. The leisure group expects adjusted profit before tax growth to remain in line with market expectations as it continues expanding its centre estate.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Higher (+0.14%), $1.3248
CHF: Higher (+0.15%), Fr.1.1027
EUR: Lower (-0.19%), €1.1812
JPY: Higher (+0.12%), ¥209.7415
AUD: Lower (-0.01%), $1.9006
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Lower, £63,587.70
Commodities
Copper: Lower
Gold: Lower
Brent Crude: Lower
Natural Gas: Higher
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