FTSE 100 Falls Amid Middle East Tensions as Balfour Beatty Hits New High

The FTSE 100 index closed lower for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as investors closely monitored efforts to end the war in the Middle East. Despite this, Balfour Beatty reached a record high after raising its annual operating profit forecast.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell by 0.1% to close at 10,833.15 points. In contrast, the midcap FTSE 250 ticked up 0.1% to 24,814.88 points.

Awaiting the release of US inflation data, oil prices saw volatile trading, falling $1 after forecasters reduced their predictions for global oil demand in 2026 due to ongoing Middle East tensions and attacks on ships.