The FTSE 100 slipped after the open on 23 July 2026, falling to 10,716.99, down 0.001 per cent from the previous close.
European markets also pulled back, with the Euronext 100 slipping 0.02 per cent to 1,934.31 and Germany’s DAX declining 0.82 per cent to 24,948.06.
Across the Atlantic, the Nasdaq closed the previous session lower at 25,690.90 while the S&P 500 finished at 7,498.96, both ending in negative territory.
Market sentiment remained cautious as investors weighed escalating US-Iran tensions alongside higher bond yields ahead of the European Central Bank meeting.
Continued strength in oil prices, driven by renewed supply disruption concerns in the Red Sea, added further pressure to broader market confidence.
BT Group (LSE: BT.A) maintained its full-year guidance after a solid start to the financial year, supported by continued expansion of its full-fibre broadband network and wider 5G coverage.
The update reinforces confidence in the group’s long-term infrastructure strategy and cash flow outlook as its Openreach fibre rollout continues at pace.
EasyJet (LSE: EZJ) reported a sharp fall in third-quarter profit as higher fuel costs and disruption linked to the Middle East conflict weighed heavily on performance.
Despite the weaker earnings, the airline pointed to resilient holiday demand and continued operational improvements as it heads into the peak summer travel season.
In commodity markets, Brent crude extended its recent gains amid geopolitical uncertainty, while copper, gold, and natural gas were little changed on the session.
Sterling weakened slightly against the US dollar, trading at $1.3375, and softened against the Swiss franc to Fr.1.0891, while strengthening modestly against the Japanese yen at ¥218.1325.
Bitcoin was broadly flat against sterling, trading at £48,897.04, as cryptocurrency markets tracked broader risk sentiment across global financial markets.
Investors continue to monitor developments in the Middle East, bond markets, and central bank signals as a key driver of near-term equity and currency direction.