UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Slides as Oil Tops $103, Sainsbury and WH Smith Warn on Profits
London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.59% to 10,414.79 by 08:38 BST as Brent crude climbed above $103 and Sainsbury and WH Smith issued fresh profit warnings. March UK inflation accelerated to 3.3%, and consumer optimism hit a record low. Sainsbury flagged Iran war risks to its 2026/27 profit, while WH Smith cut its outlook and suspended its dividend. Britain’s budget deficit narrowed, but March borrowing exceeded forecasts.