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UK Stocks Slip as Uncertainty over US-Iran Ceasefire Lifts Oil Prices

April 20 (Reuters) - UK's main stock indexes ‌dipped on Monday in a broad-based decline as fears that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire could collapse weighed on market sentiment.

The U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ​ship and traffic through the Strait of ​Hormuz remained largely halted, sending crude prices more ⁠than 5% higher.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell ​0.6% to 10,603.24 points by 1020 GMT, while the ​midcap FTSE 250 slipped 1.2%.

  • Heavyweight bank Barclays was down 2.3%, while HSBC dipped 1.2%, bringing the broader financials index 1.7% lower.

  • Precious ​metal miners Fresnillo and Hochschild fell about 2%, tracking a decline in ​gold and silver prices.

  • British Airways owner IAG was down 2.8% as crude ‌prices ⁠jumped.

  • Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce fell 2.6%, sending the broader aerospace & defence sector down 2%.

  • AstraZeneca said on Monday its experimental treatment showed a "meaningful reduction" in moderate-to-severe flare-ups of ​chronic obstructive pulmonary ​disease in ⁠a late-stage trial. Shares were down 1%.

  • Oil giants BP and Shell rose 2.8% ​and 2.3%, respectively, tracking gains in oil prices.

  • Shares ​of ⁠luxury handbag maker Mulberry climbed 7.5% after it reported higher annual revenue.

  • Advertising group M&C Saatchi was down 0.9% after it warned ⁠that ​the Middle East conflict could ​hit sport and entertainment business.

  • Engineering firm Renishaw gained 6.9% after it raised full-year profit ​forecast.

Reporting by Utkarsh Tushar Hathi; Editing by Shreya Biswas

Source: Reuters


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