The FTSE 100 opened marginally higher on July 29, 2026, at 10,871.16, up 0.001 per cent from the previous close.
European markets also moved higher, with the Euronext 100 gaining 0.04 per cent and Germany’s DAX rising 0.25 per cent.
Overnight in the United States, the Nasdaq closed lower at 24,876.91, while the S&P 500 finished higher at 7,428.78.
Market sentiment was supported by a strong corporate earnings backdrop despite ongoing concerns over Middle East tensions and expectations that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
Commodity markets reflected a cautious tone, with Brent crude rebounding on supply concerns linked to geopolitical developments and OPEC+ expectations.
Gold eased while copper edged higher, and natural gas was little changed during early trading on Wednesday.
Greggs (LSE:GRG) reported higher first-half profit alongside continued market share gains as its value-focused strategy attracted customers despite softer food-to-go demand.
In the 26 weeks to June 27, pre-tax profits jumped 19.7 per cent year-on-year to £76 million, while operating profits rose 22.9 per cent to £86.5 million.
Total sales reached £1.1 billion, up from £1.0 billion in the same period a year earlier, reflecting 7.2 per cent total sales growth driven by disciplined cost control.
Greggs management warned, however, that second-half profits will decline year-on-year as operating costs step up and the cost-savings tailwind fades.
Aston Martin Lagonda (LSE:AML) also featured in the morning headlines, with the luxury carmaker improving margins and strengthening liquidity in its first-half trading update.
The company delivered better first-half performance as preparations for Valhalla customer deliveries gathered pace, signalling continued progress on profitability and cash generation.
Aston Martin’s update comes despite a challenging environment for the luxury automotive market, where demand has faced pressure from macroeconomic headwinds.
On currency markets, the US dollar edged down 0.02 per cent against sterling to $1.3287, while the euro gained 0.02 per cent to €1.1669.
Bitcoin rose against the pound to £48,420.42, adding to a broader picture of mixed sentiment across asset classes as investors assessed the latest earnings and geopolitical developments.
