The UK’s FTSE 100 experienced a decline on Tuesday, primarily influenced by Standard Chartered’s announcement regarding the departure of its CFO, alongside a downturn for oil major BP following the suspension of its share buyback programme. The blue-chip FTSE 100 fell 0.2% as of 1157, while the FTSE 250 midcap index inched up 0.1%. Standard Chartered opened a new tab, dropping 4.2%, positioning itself among the top decliners in the blue-chip index, following the announcement that Chief Financial Officer Diego De Giorgi had departed the bank after a two-year tenure.

BP opens new tab sank 4% after it suspended its share buyback programme and took about $4 billion of charges in its renewables and biogas assets as the oil major reported quarterly profit that met expectations. Investors were attentive to political developments following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s refusal to resign, despite calls from the leader of his party in Scotland. He has committed to continue his tenure after the appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador has led to a crisis within his government.

Facing scrutiny regarding the selection of an individual with significant connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Starmer has sought to reshape the discourse. The sterling and UK government bond yields exhibited a more stable demeanor on Tuesday following a period characterized by significant declines. Corporate earnings and the prevailing global sentiment have predominantly influenced British stocks.

Among other movers, AstraZeneca rose 0.3% after the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker forecast steady growth in 2026 on strong cancer drug demand. Barclays opens new tab increased its profit by 12% in 2025 and raised its performance targets as it looks to improve returns by cutting costs and improving income, especially in its U.S. business. The bank’s shares experienced a decline of 1.6%.