The FTSE 100 traded near flat on Monday in a muted start for European markets, though it outperformed slightly thanks to gains in mining and energy stocks. Investor sentiment remained cautious amid concerns the Iran conflict could escalate. Higher oil prices supported BP and Shell, both up around 0.9%, while miners also advanced with Rio Tinto rising more than 3% and Glencore gaining nearly 1%. On the downside, banking stocks were weaker, with HSBC down 1%, Lloyds off 0.5%, Barclays falling 0.7% and NatWest slipping 0.6%. Travel and leisure names lagged as EasyJet and InterContinental Hotels dropped about 1.5% each. In other news, GSK said its hepatitis B treatment bepirovirsen has been accepted for regulatory review in China, with shares little changed.
