The FTSE 100 gave up 15 points, or 0.2%, to 7,403 on weakness in consumer staple and healthcare stocks, while poor data from China sparked fresh fears of a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.
Saudi Arabian Aramco saw profits skyrocket over 80% in the first quarter on higher post-pandemic demand and the Ukraine war.
Last week the oil giant reclaimed its spot from Apple as the world’s most valuable company.
Ryanair reported an easing of losses but warned a return to profitability remained uncertain on “fragile” demand.
Europe’s largest airline had been offering discounts to encourage more customers.
The energy price cap may soon be reviewed every three months under Ofgem plans.
The six-monthly changes were criticised for contributing to dozens of energy suppliers’ failures last year.
Onto the small caps, Greencoat UK agreed to acquire a stake in the Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm for around £400mln.
The renewable infrastructure fund said the acquisition is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2022.
Netscientific said its subsidiary ProAxsis completed the development and evaluation of an AstraZeneca COVID-19 antibody test with impressive results.
Work showed the assay delivered “exceptional levels of sensitivity and specificity.”
Horizonte Minerals swung to a pretax profit in the first quarter as the nickel developer made a large foreign exchange gain.
This was a result of the Brazilian Real strengthening against the US dollar.