16.07.202608:13:56UTC+00FTSE 100 Falls on Earnings, Middle East Tensions

London’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.5% to around 10,470, trading near its lowest level since June 24, as investors weighed corporate earnings, fresh UK economic data, and escalating tensions in the Middle East that risk fueling energy-driven inflation across Europe.

Experian fell more than 4% after posting higher revenue but keeping its outlook unchanged. SSE edged 0.7% lower despite reiterating its earnings guidance and confirming it remains on course to invest £5 billion this year. By contrast, Diploma jumped 4% after the technical products distributor upgraded its margin outlook and issued stronger-than-expected guidance for organic revenue growth.

Elsewhere, Ocado reported revenue slightly ahead of expectations, while Frasers cautioned that trading conditions remain challenging and said it was too early to provide guidance for fiscal 2027, with takeover bids for Hugo Boss and Accent Group still in progress. Rotork agreed to a £4.1 billion takeover by its larger Swiss rival ABB.

On the macroeconomic front, UK GDP grew 0.1% in May, recovering from a 0.1% decline in April.