UK Shares Rebound Amid Housing Market Growth; Shell Gains

British equities rallied on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 closing 0.13% in the green, as house prices rose for the first time in four months during June. Average house prices in the UK rose 0.2% month over month in June, after a revised 0.2% drop in the previous month, according to data from Lloyds. The results beat analysts' expectations for a 0.1% uptick in the month. "Looking ahead, we expect the housing market to continue moving at a measured pace," said Lloyds Head of Mortgages Amanda Bryden. "Lower borrowing costs should provide some support for demand, though affordability constraints remain an important factor. The outlook for house prices will depend largely on inflation continuing to ease and household confidence gradually improving." "After a choppy few months shaped by global uncertainty, tariff-driven inflation anxiety and the resulting rate volatility, June's data offers a tentative but welcome signal that the market is finding its footing," RBC Capital Markets said, adding that while affordability remains stretched and buyer demand subdued, lower mortgage rates and resilient first-time buyer activity could support a stronger second half. Next, investors will.