The UK stock market traded slightly lower in the latest session, with the benchmark FTSE 100 declining 0.34% to 10,249.52, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.
Broader indices also remained under pressure. The FTSE 250 fell 1.79% to 22,098.12, while the FTSE 350 dropped 0.50% to 5,553.47. The FTSE All-Share Index slipped 0.51%, indicating weakness across the broader UK equity market. Meanwhile, the FTSE AIM All-Share Index recorded the sharpest decline among the tracked indices, falling 2.27% to 766.86.
Despite the overall market weakness, several stocks posted gains within the FTSE 100 index. Metlen Energy & Metals PLC emerged as one of the top performers, rising 4.09% to 35.60.
Energy major Shell plc advanced 2.36% to 3,207, while oil giant BP plc gained 2.22% to 510, supported by strength in the energy sector.
Defense contractor BAE Systems plc also moved higher, climbing 2.03% to 2,259, reflecting continued investor interest in defense stocks.
Other gainers included Babcock International Group, which rose 1.68%, and Admiral Group plc, up 1.23% during the session.
Investment firm Pershing Square Holdings added 0.96%, while beverage bottler Coca-Cola Europacific Partners edged 0.80% higher, rounding out the list of key gainers.
