FTSE 100 slips as Shell earnings miss and Bank of England rate decision looms
London shares fell today as Shell reported weak profits and investors awaited the Bank of England rate call. Political uncertainty also weighed on the index.
Insights:
London’s FTSE 100 index edged lower on Thursday after Shell plc reported a fourth-quarter net profit of $3.3 billion, a result that fell short of market expectations. The decline on February 5, 2026, comes immediately after the index reached a record-high close during the previous session. Investors in the United Kingdom 
GB remained cautious throughout the morning as they awaited a critical policy decision from the Bank of England, which is expected to provide further guidance on the interest rate environment.
GB remained cautious throughout the morning as they awaited a critical policy decision from the Bank of England, which is expected to provide further guidance on the interest rate environment.The weaker-than-expected earnings from Shell plc weighed heavily on the primary index, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 also faced downward pressure. Market sentiment was further dampened by movements in the precious metal miners index and the industrial metal miners index. These sector shifts occurred alongside a retreat in gold and silver prices, which were impacted by a stronger dollar in the United States 
US. The combination of corporate earnings misses and macroeconomic uncertainty shifted the momentum that had characterized the start of the week.
US. The combination of corporate earnings misses and macroeconomic uncertainty shifted the momentum that had characterized the start of the week.
