Britain's FTSE 100 down 0.19%; Germany's DAX up 0.07%

On July 31, 2026, Britain’s FTSE 100 closed slightly lower, declining by 0.19% to 10,975 points, while Germany’s DAX index rose modestly by 0.07% to 25,682 points. The FTSE 100’s performance was influenced by mixed corporate earnings and the Bank of England’s decision to maintain the Bank Rate at 3.75%. Notable declines were seen in companies like Rentokil, which fell over 20%, and London Stock Exchange, which dropped 7% despite announcing a £1.4 billion share buyback. Conversely, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems posted gains following improved outlooks.

The DAX, on the other hand, was supported by strong performances in the technology sector, with Infineon rising over 6% and Siemens Energy gaining 4.26%. The index has shown resilience in recent months, climbing 2.56% in July and 9.63% year-to-date. Over the past year, the DAX has delivered a return of 3.54%, compared to the FTSE 100’s 22.85%. The FTSE 100 has also outperformed the DAX in terms of volatility, with one-year volatility of 12.10% versus the DAX’s 15.94%.

Both indices remain key benchmarks for European equity markets, with the DAX representing Germany’s largest firms and the FTSE 100 tracking the UK’s top 100 companies.