FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Set to End Week Lower

The FTSE 100 slipped modestly on Friday, extending its losing streak to a fifth straight session, as broad-based weakness in mining and pharmaceutical stocks dragged the index lower. A decline in industrial metal prices weighed on the mining sector, with Antofagasta losing more than 4%, while Glencore, Endeavour, and Fresnillo each fell by over 2%. Anglo American was also under pressure, shedding roughly 1.8%.

Pharmaceutical names were similarly weak, with both AstraZeneca and GSK declining by more than 1%. These losses came despite a comparatively firmer performance from energy stocks: Shell and BP edged higher, supported by resilient oil prices.

Aviva also traded slightly higher after the insurer reported a 24% rise in first-half profit versus a year earlier. The company said it remained on track to achieve its three-year group targets, offering some support to its share price. For the week, the UK benchmark was down about 1.4%.