FTSE 100 closes 0.3 percent lower as banks weigh
Published on 10/20/2026 at 22:57 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSUK CPI sets the next test
- FTSE 100 closed at 10,733 points on October 20, down 32 points or 0.3 percent.
- Banks fell 0.8 percent as resilient UK labor data kept a November rate hike in view.
- Experian rose 2.8 percent, while Diploma fell 3.5 percent.
- UK CPI is due October 21 at 7:00 a.m. London time, with 3.4 percent expected.
The FTSE 100 closed at 10,733 points on October 20, down 32 points or 0.3 percent. Banks fell 0.8 percent as resilient UK labor data kept expectations for a November Bank of England rate hike alive, Reuters reported.
Experian was the strongest blue-chip gainer, rising 2.8 percent after better-than-forecast results from US peer Equifax. Diploma led the fallers at 3.5 percent lower, according to Trading Economics.
Why did the FTSE 100 fall on Tuesday?
Commodity-linked stocks added pressure as basic resources fell 1.6 percent. BP dropped 1.7 percent and Shell lost 0.7 percent, while Anglo American fell 2 percent after reporting a 5 percent decline in third-quarter copper output and maintaining its annual guidance, Reuters said.
UK labor data showed unemployment at 4.7 percent for June through August, below the 4.9 percent expectation. Regular wage growth reached 3.7 percent from 3.6 percent previously, reinforcing rate-hike expectations, Hargreaves Lansdown reported.
Winners and losers in the FTSE 100
These same-session percentage moves were reported by Trading Economics:
- Experian up 2.8 percent: supported by Equifax's stronger results.
- Barratt Redrow up 2.6 percent
- Howden Joinery up 2.2 percent
- Diploma down 3.5 percent
- Bunzl down 3.5 percent
- Computacenter down 2.4 percent
Utilities provided support, with the sector up 1.5 percent and National Grid gaining 1.8 percent. The index recovered from its session low of 10,673 points before the close, Morningstar reported.
How the FTSE 100 traded
The index opened at 10,727 points after Monday's close at 10,765 points. It finished 32 points lower, extending its decline to two sessions. The close was 1.6 percent below the record close of 10,911 points reached on February 27, 2026, while the benchmark remained up 1.2 percent for October and 8.1 percent for the year, according to Morningstar.
What comes next for the FTSE 100
October 21, 2026, 7:00 a.m. London time: The Office for National Statistics is scheduled to release September consumer price index data. The headline rate is expected at 3.4 percent, compared with 3.1 percent in August, MoneyWeek reported.
FTSE 100 price data for October 20, 2026
The FTSE 100 closed at 10,733 points on October 20, 2026, down 32 points or 0.3 percent from the previous close of 10,765 points, Reuters reported. It opened at 10,727 points and reached a low of 10,673 points.
FTSE 100 by the numbers on October 20, 2026
- Index: FTSE 100
- Home exchange: London Stock Exchange, United Kingdom
- Close on October 20, 2026: 10,733 points
- Change versus previous close of October 19, 2026: down 32 points (down 0.3 percent)
- Previous close: 10,765 points
- Open: 10,727 points
- Day low: 10,673 points
- Top gainer: Experian up 2.8 percent
- Top loser: Diploma down 3.5 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 21, 2026, 7:00 a.m. London time: UK consumer price index data
