The FTSE 100 fell 0.7% on Thursday, ending an eight-session winning streak as broad declines across banks, healthcare and utility stocks outweighed gains in energy and defence shares. Sentiment shifted throughout the session after renewed US airstrikes on Iran pushed oil prices higher, before an Axios report later suggested the US and Iran were close to extending their ceasefire pending approval from President Donald Trump. HSBC fell around 1.7%, while Lloyds and Barclays lost 0.7% to 0.8%. AstraZeneca dropped 1.8% and GSK fell 1.2%, while Unilever and BAT each declined about 1.4%. Utilities were among the weakest performers, with National Grid and Severn Trent down more than 3%, while Centrica and SSE also fell after SSE warned it is unlikely to meet its 2030 renewable energy target. In contrast, Shell and BP posted modest gains, while defence stocks rallied with Rolls Royce (+1.5%), BAE Systems (>3%) and Babcock (~5%) all moving higher.