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Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 liveblog.
Easyjet is set to update the markets the day after its stock took a dive as its takeover was thrown into doubt.
Easyjet dropped nearly 11 per cent on Wednesday afternoon, to 593p, after reports that the EU is preparing to review its rules on foreign ownership of airlines.
The EU review will “protect strategic autonomy” to ensure control of regional carriers remains within the bloc, an official told Reuters.
This potential review throws a mooted takeover of the budget airline into doubt. Easyjet had said it was “minded to accept” a takeover bid from private equity firm Castlelake, but earlier this month agreed terms with Apollo on a £5.7bn deal.
US markets dropped on Wednesday night amid fresh US-Iran tensions. Earlier that day, oil prices returned to levels not seen since the beginning of June, after both the US and Iran warned that hopes of a return to peace negotiations were premature.
The spot price of Brent crude broke $95 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since the warring parties agreed a 60-day ceasefire last month.
The latest jump followed more hawkish remarks from Marco Rubio, who warned that the Iranian regime was “not serious” about peace talks.
The latest flight from the London Stock Exchange was all but confirmed late on Wednesday, after FTSE 100 real estate firm Segro said it was “minded to accept” a £14bn takeover swoop from US property giant Prolologis.
The UK’s capital markets have suffered a string of private takeovers in recent weeks. Most recently, facilities management firm Mitie was swept off the London Stock Exchange for £3.1bn, marking the 11th takeover worth more than £1bn to be announced this year.
We’ll be bringing you the latest market updates and analysis as the day develops.
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