Investing.com — British stocks hit a fresh intraday record on Wednesday, with the climbing as high as 10,950.69 before paring gains, as strong earnings from index heavyweights and a renewed jump in oil prices lifted energy stocks offset renewed concerns after the U.S.-Iran conflict flared overnight.
The FTSE closed up 0.3%. Germany’s DAX fell 0.1%, while France’s CAC 40 reversed into losses, falling 0.6%. Sterling reversed its earlier advance, falling 0.1% at 1.3280 against the U.S. dollar.
Jordan’s military on Wednesday said it intercepted a fresh barrage of five Iranian missiles, hours after CENTCOM said it had thwarted an earlier “attempted surprise attack” in which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces, reportedly targeting a base in Jordan.
Iranian state TV separately reported a U.S. strike Wednesday morning near the Iraq border in Piranshahr, in West Azerbaijan province, though officials said it hit an uninhabited area with no casualties.
The Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces said at least 20 of its fighters were killed and 32 wounded in Tuesday night’s joint U.S.-Saudi strikes on Iranian proxy sites across eastern Iraq, which hit its Baghdad headquarters and six other locations.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry called the strikes lawful self-defense, saying Iran-backed militias had chosen “the path of irresponsible escalation.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also said they struck and halted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a day after Iran-aligned Houthi forces fired missiles at a Saudi-flagged tanker in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command commander Adm.
Brad Cooper has separately warned troops against posting cellphone video of strikes, saying it could help Iran assess strike success in real time.
The overnight escalation followed Tuesday’s White House meeting between the U.S. president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described by an Israeli official as “extremely positive,” with both sides reaffirming their commitment to preventing a nuclear Iran.
extended its rally, up 4.2% to $85.51 a barrel, while gained 4.7% to $82.99. was more mixed: futures slipped 0.24% to $4,029.55 an ounce, while edged up 0.06% to $4,031.09.
UK round up
posts first-half profit above estimates, raises interim dividend and flags AI-driven metals demand.
reports higher first-half copper output as marketing earnings near top end of annual guidance.
tops first-half profit estimates, launches £500 million buyback and raises interim dividend.
beats second-quarter earnings estimates, upgrades income outlook and announces $1 billion buyback.