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Investing.com -- The FTSE 100 index closed flat on Wednesday, as disappointing earnings from major U.K. companies weighed on the index, with names such as HSBC (LON:HSBA), Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) and BAE Systems reporting.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index was 0.02% lower, while the British pound dropped 0.5% against the dollar to below $1.33.
Germany’s DAX index gained 0.3%, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.1%.
FTSE 100 today: HSBC profit slump, BAE outlook drag; Bodycote , GSK gain
HSBC Holdings (NYSE:HSBC) PLC (LON:HSBA) reported a 27% drop in first-half profit on Wednesday, with results impacted by one-off charges related to its investment in China’s Bank of Communications and the absence of gains from previous disposals.
Shares fell 4.5% after the result.
Despite the profit decline, the global banking giant delivered higher underlying earnings and announced a new share buyback program of up to $3 billion.
BAE Systems PLC (LON:BAES) shares fell 2% despite the defense contractor reporting strong first-half results, as investors were disappointed by a modest upgrade to full-year guidance.
The company posted first-half sales of £14.62 billion, up 11% from the previous year and 1% above analyst expectations. Underlying earnings before interest and tax reached £1.55 billion, rising 13% year-on-year and exceeding consensus by 2%.
Adjusted earnings per share grew 12% to 34.7p.
In other market news, Rio Tinto PLC (LON:RIO) shares slipped 1.3% after reporting a $4.5 billion first-half profit, with lower iron ore prices and cyclone disruptions affecting results despite stronger performance in copper and aluminum.
The mining company posted underlying earnings of $4.8 billion and underlying EBITDA of $11.5 billion for the six months ended June 30.
Glencore Plc (OTC:GLNCY) (LON:GLEN) reported a 5% year-on-year increase in copper equivalent production for the first half of 2025, supported by the integration of volumes from Elk Valley Resources steelmaking coal operations.
The company reaffirmed its full-year production outlook.
Shares rose 1.9% after the results.
GSK Plc (LON:GSK) rose 4.7% after the company raised its full-year earnings guidance after posting a 35% rise in second-quarter profit to 35.5p per share, up from 28.9p a year earlier.
Operating profit increased 33% to £2.02 billion, while group sales rose 6% at constant exchange rates to £7.99 billion.
Bodycote Plc (LON:BOY) shares soared roughly 12.7% after the thermal processing services provider announced an additional £30 million buyback, bringing the total allocation to £120 million.
The company maintained its full-year outlook.
Aston Martin (LON:AML) issued a profit warning, citing the effects of new U.S. tariffs and ongoing weak demand in Asia.
The luxury carmaker now expects adjusted operating profit to be roughly flat for the year, down from its previous guidance of positive earnings.
Shares fell 9.7%.
Man Group (LON:EMG) reported record assets under management of $193.3 billion for the first half of 2025, exceeding analyst expectations of $176.7 billion.
The investment management firm delivered core profit before tax of $146 million, 18% ahead of consensus estimates, with net inflows reaching $17.6 billion.
Shares fell 2.2%.
Rathbones Group (LON:RAT) shares rose 2.3% after announcing a £50 million share buyback program alongside broadly in-line first-half results.
The wealth management firm reported underlying profit before tax of £107.7 million, down 4% year-on-year.
Aberdeen Group PLC (LON:ABDN) reported first-half adjusted operating profit of £125 million, exceeding analyst consensus by 3%, with total assets under management and administration of £518 billion, beating market expectations of £512 billion.
Shares closed 0.4% higher after the results.