FTSE 100 Index continues to decline, mining stocks lead the drop

⑴ The UK's FTSE 100 index fell more than 1% on Thursday, extending the previous day's 0.9% decline, due to escalating tensions in Iran. ⑵ Mining stocks led the decline, with Fresnillo and Endeavour Silver dropping more than 5%, Antofagasta falling over 5%, and Anglo American, Rio Tinto, and Glencore seeing losses between 2.5% and 4.6%. ⑶ EasyJet fell 3.7%, while banking stocks such as HSBC, Lloyds, and Barclays dropped more than 1.5%. ⑷ BP rose more than 1%, and Babcock International gained about 2%. ⑸ Investors are awaiting the Bank of England's interest rate decision later today, after the Federal Reserve signaled that it would not cut rates in the short term. ⑹ UK data showed wage growth slowing and the unemployment rate holding steady at 5.2%, but the market is focused on soaring energy costs, with European natural gas up about 30%, Brent crude approaching $114, and inflation risks intensifying.