FTSE 100 Dips Amid Corporate Updates and Ex-Dividend Trades

London's FTSE 100 index dropped 0.9% on Thursday, mirroring global market trends. Precious metal miners led losses despite rising gold prices. Bank shares declined, while non-life insurers saw gains. Britain's job market showed signs of cooling, and companies like Entain and Hikma Pharmaceuticals reported strong earnings, boosting their shares.

London's FTSE 100 index slipped 0.9% on Thursday, reflecting global market sentiment as investors scrutinized corporate updates and companies traded ex-dividend.

The benchmark index had surged on Wednesday, marking its best day in over four months, but losses led by precious metal miners, despite an uptick in gold prices, dragged it down. Banking shares and most sub-sectors also fell.

In contrast, non-life insurers gained 2.5%, driven by Beazley's upgraded profit forecast. The automobile sector also rose, while better-than-expected earnings reports lifted shares of Entain and Hikma Pharmaceuticals.

(With inputs from agencies.)