The FTSE 100 edged lower on Wednesday, pressured by earnings-driven losses in heavyweight stocks. HSBC slumped 5% after quarterly profits missed forecasts, hit by higher restructuring costs and a $1.1 billion charge on its stake in China’s Bank of Communications. The bank also disclosed that its Swiss private banking arm is under investigation for alleged money laundering. Rio Tinto lost over 1% as profits declined amid stagnant commodity prices and trade uncertainty, with markets awaiting direction from incoming CEO Simon Trott. BAE Systems dipped more than 2% despite lifting its full-year outlook. Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey dropped 6%, the session’s worst performer, as market softness outweighed a rise in revenue. On the upside, GSK gained 4.6% on resilient earnings, while AstraZeneca climbed nearly 3%.