31.07.202615:53:53UTC+00FTSE 100 Falls on Friday, Still Logs Monthly Gain

The FTSE 100 slipped on Friday, weighed down by weakness in heavyweight consumer goods, healthcare, and banking shares. Unilever lost more than 2%, while AstraZeneca and GSK each fell by around 0.5%. Major lenders HSBC Holdings and Lloyds Banking Group also traded lower.

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) declined more than 1% after second-quarter revenue missed expectations, with the company citing continued disruption to air travel from the conflict in the Middle East.

In contrast, NatWest jumped more than 4% after lifting its full-year guidance and signalling it may undertake further share buybacks. Sainsbury’s rose about 2% following news of the sale of its Argos business.

Energy stocks outperformed, with BP and Shell gaining between 1.3% and 1.8% as oil prices extended a sharp monthly rally of more than 20%.

Despite Friday’s pullback, the FTSE 100 finished the week more than 1% higher and recorded a monthly gain of roughly 3.5%, its best showing since February.