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U.K. stocks are languishing in negative territory after a weak start Thursday morning amid fears of a global trade war after U.S. President Donald Trump announced steep “reciprocal tariffs” on major trading partners.<\/p>\n
The British market’s loss is somewhat less pronounced compared to other major European markets<\/span>, as UK imports face a 10% tariff, half the 20% levy imposed on the European Union. <\/p>\n British Prime Minister Starmer has stated that the UK will respond with “cool and calm heads”. <\/p>\n The benchmark FTSE 100 was down 131.20 points or 1.52% at 8,477.28 a little while ago. Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 are down by about 2.3% and 2.4%, respectively.<\/p>\n Standard Chartered is down 8.4%. HSBC Holdings and Barclays are down by 5.4% and 5.6%, respectively. Natwest Group is declining 2.5%, and Lloyds Banking Group is down 2%.<\/p>\n Informa, Mondi, Intercontinental Hotels, Polar Capital Technology Trust and Phoenix Group Holdings are down 5 to 6%.<\/p>\n Antofagasta, Experian, JD Sports Fashion, Anglo American Plc, Melrose Industries, Intertek Group, Intermediate Capital Group, Prudential, Smihs Group, Halma, IAG, BP, Glencore, Weir Group and Fresnillo are down 2.7 to 4.7%.<\/p>\n Severn Trent, SSE, United Utilities, Sainsbury (J) and Marks & Spencer are advancing by 3 to 3.3%.<\/p>\n National Grid, Unite Group, Tesco, Diageo, Land Securities, GSK, Vodafone Group, BT Group, Imperial Brands, Segro and Associated British Foods are also up with strong gains.<\/p>\n Data from S&P Global said the UK Composite PMI registered 51.5 in March, revised down from the preliminary estimate of 52.0. However, the reading was still above February’s 50.5. <\/p>\n The S&P Global UK Services PMI was revised lower to 52.5 in March from a preliminary score of 53.2. But, the score till marked the highest reading since August 2024. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n