2025.08.2607:39:40UTC+00UK Stocks Snap 5-Day Winning Run

The FTSE 100 experienced a decline of approximately 0.7%, settling at 9,260 on Tuesday as markets resumed operations following a holiday-shortened week. This downturn halted a five-day rally that had propelled the index to record highs over four consecutive sessions. The sectors suffering the most were retail, food and beverage production, and financials. AB Foods, the parent company of Primark, saw the largest drop, with shares plummeting nearly 4%. Other notable decliners included Kingfisher, owner of B&Q; Coca-Cola HBC; Prudential; Weir Group; and NatWest. British American Tobacco also featured among the poorest performers, with a decline exceeding 2% following the sudden departure of its finance director, Soraya Benchikh, after a tenure of about 15 months. On a more positive note, Bunzl PLC, a leader in distribution, saw its shares surge over 6%, topping the index. This followed the company's announcement of the resumption of its share buyback program and a reaffirmation of its 2025 outlook, despite an 11.2% drop in first-half profits.