UK GDP Slowdown Drives FTSE 100 Decline as Europe Divides

The FTSE 100 Index on the London Stock Exchange opened lower on July 13th, extending its losing streak. At 8:00 a.m. UK time, the index stood at 10,817.14, down 16.01 points from the previous close, representing a 0.14% decline.

The release of the UK's April-June 2026 GDP figures matched market forecasts but showed slower growth than the prior quarter, cooling investor sentiment. The data came in line with expectations but fell short of the January-March quarter's performance, reinforcing the view that economic momentum is losing steam.

In contrast, Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 advanced, underscoring a clear divergence across European markets. Major continental European companies are seen as having relatively lower exposure to the UK economy, meaning the UK's GDP slowdown is less likely to serve as a direct catalyst for selling.