Business · 31 July 2026
Oil tensions, NatWest profits fuel FTSE 100's best month since February
Expensive oil and strong company profits drove the wider market higher, even though London's top share index dropped 0.3% on Friday. Fuel businesses performed better than any other sector during July after rising tensions between America and Iran put global supplies at risk. NatWest also helped lift the mood, with its shares climbing after the high-street bank announced a £4.3 billion half-year profit.
Reported by Reuters · How we write briefs