Photograph: Getty ImagesGlobal shares slipped on Thursday and were on track to snap a six-session streak of gains, weighed down by a sharp drop for Microsoft after its quarterly results, while oil prices jumped on US-Iran tensions. The FTSE 100 index closed up 0.2 per cent. Lloyds Banking Group rose 0.1 per cent after the bank reported a better-than-expected 12 per cent rise in annual profit. EuropeThe pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.17 per cent as gains in mining and energy stocks helped offset a drop in technology names. Southwest Airlines’ shares advanced 12.9 per cent after the airline forecast a stronger-than-expected annual profit.

Source: The Irish Times January 30, 2026 06:06 UTC