The FTSE 100 recovered most of its early losses on Monday, trading just four points lower at 10,725 by 9am, as gains in retail, travel and financial shares helped offset weakness among energy and mining companies.
London’s blue-chip index initially fell around 40 points to 10,689, before recovering from a session low of 10,685. The index traded within an early range of 10,685 to 10,731, reflecting a cautious start to the week.
The FTSE 250 performed more strongly, gaining approximately 80 points to 24,533, suggesting greater resilience among UK mid-cap companies.
JD Sports Fashion led the FTSE 100 gainers, climbing 2.8%, while wealth manager St James’s Place advanced 2.6%.
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways, rose 2.3%, while Marks & Spencer gained 2.2%, providing further support for the index.
The gains in airline and consumer-facing shares came as oil prices retreated, potentially easing fuel costs and inflationary pressures.
However, energy companies moved lower as weaker crude prices weighed on the sector.
Ithaca Energy declined 2.3%, while BP fell 1.7%, reflecting investor concerns about the impact of falling oil prices on producer revenues and profitability.
Mining stocks also faced selling pressure, with Endeavour Mining dropping 2%, while Airtel Africa lost 1.9% and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca slipped 0.9%.
Among FTSE 250 companies, Funding Circle fell 3.1%, while Foresight Environmental Infrastructure declined 3% and oil and gas producer Energean dropped 2.6%.
The FTSE 100’s recovery from its opening decline suggests investors are finding selective buying opportunities, particularly among retailers, travel companies and financial services businesses.
Nevertheless, weakness in heavyweight energy producers and selected mining shares continued to restrict the index’s progress.
Attention will now turn to movements in oil prices, corporate earnings and fresh manufacturing activity data, as investors assess whether London’s early recovery can develop into a broader market advance.
