FTSE 100 Live: Mining surge offsets BP slide, while HSBC buyback 'too small'

HSBC is described as almost flat after Q2 results, with buybacks resuming after a nine-month pause and debate over a $1B size.

Near-term volatility likely, with upside capped unless buyback scale expands or guidance improves.

The text links the move to Q2 results and buyback resumption, but emphasizes disagreement over buyback magnitude rather than a new, larger capital return plan.

BP is down 4.4% as Brent pulls back, while critics argue BP should face a windfall tax despite profits doubling and buybacks not yet resumed.

Bias to underperformance while Brent remains soft and windfall-tax risk stays in focus.

The article directly ties BP’s decline to Brent’s 4% pullback and highlights political/regulatory pressure on oil profits, with no new BP-specific mitigation.

Shell is down 2.3% alongside BP as Brent crude falls 4% to just above $80, pressuring major oil equities.

Likely continued pressure if Brent stays below $80 and tariff or Iran headlines keep oil volatile.

The article attributes Shell’s move primarily to Brent pullback, with no incremental Shell-specific news beyond being grouped with BP.

Rio Tinto is up 3.4% as copper strength is linked to tightening supply and large US copper inflows ahead of tariff decisions.

Potential continuation higher if copper futures keep rebounding toward the $14,000/ton area cited.

The text provides a concrete catalyst chain: copper inflows, tightening supply evidence, and futures moving back toward $14,000/ton.

AstraZeneca is up 2.1% after a sharp prior drop, with analysts discussing merger risk and synergy timing around 2030 patent cliffs.

Choppy trading likely until investors get clarity on whether a deal meaningfully offsets the 2031-33E profit pressure.

The article includes specific analyst framing (Citi, Deutsche Bank, UBS) and ties it to AZ’s pipeline and patent cliffs, which can move the stock even without new AZ filings.

Palantir shares surge about 20% pre-market after quarterly revenue and earnings beat forecasts, with US commercial revenue up sharply and 220 $1M+ contracts.

High probability of continued strength at the open, with follow-through dependent on guidance and margin commentary not included here.

The article provides multiple concrete beat metrics (revenue, EPS, segment growth, contract count) that typically drive immediate repricing.

Caterpillar is up about 10.7% pre-market after results show sales up 24% to a record $20.5B and adjusted EPS up 73% on AI-driven power equipment demand.

Likely sustained bid into the open if the market treats the backlog/order-rate commentary as durable.

The text includes hard numbers (sales, EPS, margin expansion, record top line) and management commentary on order rates and backlog.