UK markets traded lower across the board, with broad-based weakness visible in key indices and heavy selling in select blue-chip stocks.
The benchmark FTSE 100 edged down 0.05% to 9,967.35, reflecting mild pressure in large-cap stocks. The broader FTSE 250 fell sharply by 1.56%, indicating stronger selling in mid-cap names. Meanwhile, the FTSE 350 and FTSE All-Share declined 0.20% and 0.22% respectively, while the FTSE AIM All-Share dropped 1.87%, highlighting broader market weakness.
Among individual stocks, selling pressure was evident across sectors. Metlen Energy & Metals Plc led the losers with a steep 8.63% decline, followed by Babcock International Group Plc and Barratt Redrow Plc, both down around 4.7%. Persimmon Plc fell 3.85%, while Auto Trader Group Plc declined 3.77%.
Heavyweights also faced pressure, with Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc dropping 3.61%, and Convatec Group Plc and British Land Company Plc slipping over 3%, signaling broad-based weakness across industrials, real estate, and services sectors.
Overall, the UK market reflected a cautious tone, with sharper declines in mid- and small-cap indices suggesting risk aversion among investors, even as the benchmark index showed relatively limited downside.
