25.06.202607:32:55UTC+00FTSE 100 Little Changed on Thursday

The FTSE 100 traded largely flat on Thursday, weighed down by energy stocks and failing to participate in a broader rebound across European markets led by the technology sector. International benchmark Brent crude gave up all of its gains linked to the Middle East conflict as oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz continued to normalize. The resulting pressure on commodity prices hit energy producers directly, pushing BP down 0.6% and Shell 0.8% lower. In contrast, airline group EasyJet climbed more than 5% after it rejected a fourth takeover approach from investment firm Castlelake, while agreeing to extend the deadline for any further proposals. Barclays also rose over 1% after reports that its US division comfortably surpassed required capital levels in the latest Federal Reserve stress tests. By comparison, a global uplift in risk appetite driven by robust earnings from chipmaker Micron did little to move the UK benchmark, which has only limited exposure to the technology sector.