FTSE 100 falls 0.3 percent as oil and AI fears weigh

The FTSE 100 ended October 22 at 10,725.03 points, down 27.85 points or 0.3 percent. Surging oil prices and renewed technology-sector concerns weighed on European equities, Morningstar reported.

The decline left the index 27.85 points below Wednesday's 10,752.88 close. London Stock Exchange Group rose 7.9 percent after announcing its USD3.54 billion Octus acquisition and raising its 2026 revenue outlook, while Rentokil Initial gained 8.4 percent after reporting organic growth and a USD200 million buyback, Yahoo Finance reported.

Why did the FTSE 100 fall?

Brent crude rose above USD112 as renewed Middle East tensions revived supply concerns. The energy shock also reinforced inflation worries, while a technology sell-off followed fresh concern about heavy artificial-intelligence spending.

Mining shares weakened as copper and precious-metals prices fell. Banks also faced pressure after Barclays reported weaker-than-expected third-quarter profit and plans to cut about 5,000 jobs, Reuters reported.

LSEG leads FTSE 100 movers

London Stock Exchange Group was among the strongest blue-chip performers after its Octus deal and guidance increase. Rentokil Initial also advanced after its third-quarter update and buyback announcement.

Sainsbury fell 2.4 percent after reporting a loss attributable to shareholders and trimming its full-year profit guidance. Mining stocks were among the weakest performers as metals prices declined, according to Morningstar.

FTSE 100 range and Wall Street backdrop

The index traded between 10,669.39 and 10,752.55 points, according to Fidelity. The session's low followed an early decline linked to Asian technology weakness and higher oil prices.

At 12:00 p.m. ET, the S&P 500 stood at 7,672.20 points, down 1.2 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 52,818 points, down 0.2 percent, 24/7 Wall St. reported. Technology stocks led the US decline, extending the pressure on London-listed growth shares.

What comes next for the FTSE 100

• October 23, 2026, 7:00 a.m. BST: UK September retail sales, with a 0.2 percent monthly decline expected and a 0.5 percent increase previously recorded, MUFG says.
• October 23, 2026, 9:30 a.m. BST: UK October flash composite purchasing managers' index, with a 51.7 consensus and 52.0 previous reading, Morningstar lists.
• October 28, 2026, 12:30 p.m. GMT: UK Autumn Budget and Office for Budget Responsibility outlook, with the start time expected after Prime Minister's Questions, Admirals says.

FTSE 100 price data for October 22, 2026

The FTSE 100 closed at 10,725.03 points on October 22, 2026, down 27.85 points or 0.3 percent from the previous close of 10,752.88 points, Morningstar reported. The day high was 10,752.55 points and the day low was 10,669.39 points.

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