UK markets opened little changed on 2 July 2026, with the FTSE 100 edging 0.01 per cent lower to sit at 10,477.76 points.
The Euronext 100 mirrored the cautious mood, also slipping 0.01 per cent to 1,906.08 as European investors weighed dovish interest rate signals against broader economic uncertainty.
Germany’s DAX bucked the hesitant trend, rising 0.25 per cent to 25,102.51 and outperforming its European peers at the open.
Overnight, US markets closed lower, with the Nasdaq finishing at 26,040.03 and the S&P 500 settling at 7,483.23.
Oil prices eased as improving US-Iran diplomatic talks and expectations of ample crude supply weighed on Brent crude, with natural gas also moving lower.
In currency markets, the US dollar, euro and Australian dollar all strengthened slightly against sterling, while the Swiss franc and Japanese yen weakened modestly.
Currys (LSE:CURY) delivered one of the morning’s standout corporate updates, reporting higher annual profits and increased shareholder returns backed by a strong performance from its Nordic operations.
The results point to improving operational momentum for the electronics retailer, coming after a sustained period of restructuring that had tested investor patience in prior years.
Wizz Air (LSE:WIZZ) also provided an upbeat update, reporting 27 per cent growth in June passenger numbers alongside confirmation of a Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi rollout across its entire fleet.
The aviation update underlines continued demand strength in European short-haul travel, with the carrier investing in customer experience through its connectivity upgrade programme.
In commodities, copper and gold both traded lower, adding to a broader softening in raw material prices as market sentiment remained cautious heading into the session.
Bitcoin advanced slightly against sterling, trading at £45,086.66, while gold and copper declines reflected a modest risk-off tone across commodity markets.
With major equity indices holding broadly steady and corporate earnings providing pockets of positive news, traders appeared content to assess the broader macro picture before committing to stronger moves.