FTSE 100 Dips Amid Shell's Profit Slump, BoE Rate Decision Looms

The FTSE 100 index in the UK experienced a decline on Thursday, impacted by the disappointing profit report from oil giant Shell and weakened miner stocks, as the market awaited the Bank of England's monetary policy decision.

The blue-chip index was down by 0.4% mid-morning, following its record high closure the previous day. Notably, Shell's shares fell 1% after revealing a fourth-quarter net profit of $3.3 billion, an 11% decline from the prior year, primarily due to lower oil prices.

Investors also looked toward the BoE's expected hold on interest rates at 3.75%, amid ongoing political challenges faced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Technology stocks rebounded, with significant gains for firms like Relx and Playtech, showcasing a mixed but strategic landscape for investors.