London’s FTSE 100 opened virtually flat on Thursday morning, slipping just 0.0009 per cent to 10,679.89 as European peers pushed higher.
The DAX led gains across the continent, rising 0.6936 per cent to 25,441.79, while the Euronext 100 added 0.0560 per cent to 1,890.94 in early trading.
Sentiment across markets was supported by reports that the United States and Iran are discussing a phased path out of their conflict, centred on Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief.
Despite the diplomatic optimism, elevated bond yields and global rate-hike expectations continued to weigh on the broader investment outlook.
Wall Street closed in mixed fashion overnight, with the Nasdaq finishing 0.01 per cent higher at 26,939.37 and the S&P 500 edging 0.02 per cent lower to 7,704.13.
Business services group Capita (LSE:CPI) announced it has secured £30 million of new financing from Shawbrook Bank, split equally between a revolving credit facility and a term loan.
Both facilities carry a maturity date of September 2029 and will be used for general corporate purposes as well as refinancing existing debt obligations.
The new funding adds to Capita’s (LSE:CPI) existing £325 million facility, bolstering the company’s overall liquidity position as it continues to manage its financial restructuring.
AIM-listed Strategic Minerals (LSE:SML) delivered first-half 2026 results showing net assets more than doubled, alongside a 49 per cent increase in the inferred resource at its Redmoor tungsten-copper-tin project in Cornwall.
The company reported cash of US$10.0 million following an £8.7 million fundraise, which strengthens its capacity to fund pre-feasibility work at the Redmoor flagship asset.
In commodities, Brent crude eased after sharp gains in the prior session as diplomatic progress on the Iran situation tempered supply fears, though physical risks remain with reduced vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi missile strikes on Saudi Arabia added to ongoing regional tensions, while copper and natural gas edged lower and gold was slightly firmer on the day.
The pound was mixed against major currencies, gaining modestly against the yen and the Australian dollar while softening marginally against the Swiss franc and the euro.
Investors are also monitoring the Trump-Xi summit in Washington and ongoing concerns surrounding Europe’s gas storage deficits heading into the winter season.