FTSE 100 loses 84 points as banks weigh at midday

The FTSE 100 was down 84 points, or 0.8 percent, at 10,680 points at 11:06 a.m. BST on October 20, 2026. Banks fell between 1.6 and 2.3 percent as Brent crude reached USD111.05, according to Reuters.

Diploma fell 3.3 percent as industrial stocks lost 1.8 percent. The move followed Monday's close at 10,765 points, cited by Yahoo Finance.

Why is the FTSE 100 down at midday?

UK labor data showed unemployment at 4.7 percent for June through August, below the 4.9 percent consensus. Total pay growth slowed to 3.7 percent from 3.9 percent, while vacancies fell to 691,000, Hargreaves Lansdown reported.

Reuters linked the decline to banks and elevated oil prices. Healthcare gained 0.5 percent, while the personal care, drug and grocery sector added 0.3 percent.

Diploma falls 3.3 percent as industry stocks weaken

Diploma and Rolls-Royce fell 3.3 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. Bunzl declined 2.2 percent despite a 3.7 percent rise in third-quarter revenue and unchanged annual guidance, Reuters said.

Brent crude reaches USD111.05

Brent reached USD111.05, a five-month high, adding pressure to the index. HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest fell between 1.6 and 2.3 percent as banks reached an over four-month low.

What comes next for the FTSE 100?

UK consumer price data are due on October 21 at 7:00 a.m. BST. The headline rate is expected at 3.4 percent, after 3.1 percent previously, according to Raymond James UK.

FTSE 100 price data for October 20, 2026

The FTSE 100 stood at 10,680.25 points at 11:06 a.m. BST on October 20, 2026, down 84.44 points or 0.8 percent from 10,764.69 points on October 19, according to Reuters. The session high, low and opening level were not stated in the cited market update.

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