- UK indexes increased by 0.2% in early trade but are still close to three-week lows due to global risks and anticipated US inflation data.
- WH Smith's shares fell sharply by 16.4% after a second profit forecast cut in two months and announced plans for an equity raise linked to travel disruptions from the Iran conflict.
- The banking sector faced weakness, with HSBC and Standard Chartered declining as China's tighter capital controls raised concerns about UK lenders' exposure to the Asian market.