The London stock market closed lower on Friday but still managed to advance both for the week and the month, with the FTSE 100 index ending at 10,868.05 points, down 29.22 points or 0.27 percent, after retreating from record highs amid support from strong corporate earnings. NatWest shares jumped 3.2 percent after reporting first-half pre-tax operating profit of 4.3 billion pounds, beating expectations, and Sainsbury’s shares edged up 1 percent after agreeing to sell Argos for at least 120 million pounds. Meanwhile, IAG shares fell 1.5 percent after cutting its 2026 capacity guidance. Energy stocks rose 1.9 percent as Brent crude oil prices surged above 90 US dollars per barrel, pushing the sector to a gain of more than 15 percent in July. The Bank of England voted to hold interest rates, but three policymakers dissented, more than the market had expected, amid concerns over the economic impact of the conflict with Iran.
NatWest Group PLCNatWest reported first-half pre-tax operating profit of £4.3B, beating expectations.
J Sainsbury PLCSainsbury's agreed to sell Argos for at least £120M.
International Consolidated Airlines Group S.AIAG cut its 2026 capacity guidance, indicating reduced supply.