London's FTSE 100 opened lower on Thursday as multiple companies including oil giant BP traded ex-dividend, while a drop in EasyJet following its earnings update weighed on the benchmark index.

The benchmark FTSE 100 was down 0.4% by 0730 GMT after gaining for two straight days, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 edged 0.1% higher.

Britain's data calendar is relatively light, which puts the spotlight on the Bank of England's external member of the monetary policy committee Megan Greene due to speak later in the day.

Shares of BP fell 2.0%, GSK was down 0.8%, Kingfisher slumped 3.6% and Tesco dropped 2.1% as these companies traded without the entitlement to their latest dividend payouts.

BT Group surged 8.4% and was the top gainer on the benchmark index after the broadband and mobile operator's CEO aims for a more than double free cash flow over the next five years.

EasyJet was the top loser on the FTSE 100 with a 5.9% drop after it reported a first-half loss largely in line with company expectations ahead of a busy summer season.

Watches of Switzerland was on top of the mid-cap index with a 12.8% jump after the luxury retailer was 'cautiously optimistic' about 2025.

 

(Reporting by Pranav Kashyap in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng)