London stocks edged lower on Thursday morning, with the FTSE 100 dipping 0.2% to 9,150.78. The FTSE 250 eased 0.1% to 21,838.63, while the AIM All-Share added 0.3% to 759.54.
UK GDP grew 0.3% in the second quarter, ahead of forecasts but slower than the 0.7% recorded in Q1. The Office for National Statistics said some activity had been “brought forward” earlier in the year in anticipation of potential US tariffs.
The blue-chip index pulled back from Wednesday’s record high, weighed by ex-dividend moves in some of its biggest constituents. Rio Tinto shed 3.4%, GSK lost 1.9%, BP fell 1.4%, and Shell slipped 1.2%, as buyers of the shares will not receive their latest payouts.
Admiral surged 6.3% and Aviva jumped 4.1% after both reported improved half-year profits.
Mining group South32 tumbled 5.4% after warning it may place its Mozal aluminium smelter in Mozambique on care and maintenance without a secure electricity supply beyond March 2026.
In corporate news, Unite Group gained 0.2% after striking a £634 million deal to acquire Empiric Student Property, valuing the latter at £723 million including dividends. Empiric slipped 2.7% on the announcement.