FTSE 100 drops on weak China data; soaring crude prices lift oil majors

UK's main index retreated after four days of gains as weak China data stoked global growth worries, while oil majors jumped 3% after crude oil prices surged following attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.2% by 0719 GMT, with the FTSE 250 also down by the same level. BP and Shell were up as the attacks on Saturday shut about 5% of global supply.

Airline and cruise operator stocks including British Airways owner IAG and cruise company Carnival fell more than 2% due to higher oil prices.

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