FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Falls for 4th Session

The FTSE 100 declined on Thursday for a fourth consecutive session, lagging behind other major European markets as broad weakness in commodity-linked stocks overshadowed stronger-than-expected UK economic data. UK GDP grew 0.4% in the second quarter, matching forecasts, while monthly output rose 0.3% in June, beating expectations. Nonetheless, lower commodity prices exerted significant pressure on the index. Oil majors Shell and BP dipped 0.4% and 1%, respectively, while mining stocks recorded sharper losses as gold, silver, and copper prices fell. Antofagasta slid more than 5%, Rio Tinto lost 4.5%, and Anglo American declined 3%. Precious-metals producers Fresnillo and Endeavour also dropped more than 3% each. In contrast, Entain reported better-than-anticipated operational profitability and reiterated that it remains confident in its full-year outlook.