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Britain's FTSE Indexes Fall as Trump says Iran Deal 'Over'

  • FTSE 100 down 1.3%, FTSE ​250 down 1.7%
  • Vistry slips on first-half loss warning
  • Jet2 rises on stronger ‌summer travel demand outlook

July 8 (Reuters) - London's FTSE indexes fell more than 1% on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said an initial agreement to end the war on Iran was ​over, reigniting concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East and ​higher oil prices.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell 1.3% to 10,519.17 ⁠points by 1111 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 slipped 1.7%. The ​benchmark fell to its lowest level in nearly one week, while the midcap index touched ​its lowest level in more than a week.

  • Most sectors were in the red; defence stocks were the biggest drag, while the energy index was the only sector in the green.

  • BP and ​Shell rose 3% and 1.8%, respectively, and were among the top performers ​on the FTSE 100 as the energy sector received a boost from oil prices, which ‌jumped ⁠more than 4% on renewed fears of disruptions to Middle East oil supplies.

  • Precious metals miners fell 3.6% as gold prices dropped more than 1% amid renewed concerns about inflation and the prospect of higher interest rates.

  • Meanwhile, Britain's jobs market downturn ​eased slightly last month, ​according to a ⁠survey of recruitment companies on Wednesday that showed an upturn in temporary hiring and starting salaries.

  • Among individual stocks, Jet2 ​climbed 9.9% after the British travel firm said tourists ​were more ⁠willing to commit to travel plans following the easing of Middle East tensions.

  • Vistry fell 6.4% after Britain's largest affordable housing builder warned of a first-half pre-tax ⁠loss ​of £30 million ($40 million).

  • IG Group rose 2.5% after the ​online trading platform proposed setting up a new holding company in Jersey as part of a ​strategic overhaul to unlock shareholder value.

Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed

Source: Reuters


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