The FTSE 100 ends the trading day lower, with declines led by UK housebuilders after fresh data points to weak mortgage approvals. Shares in the housing sector fall broadly, reflecting concern about demand conditions for new lending. The overall index also dips as investors move away from defence contractor Babcock, which falls during the session. Other components of the market are mixed, but the combined weakness in housebuilding and Babcock outweighs gains elsewhere. The decline follows the release of mortgage-approval figures, which are described in the reporting as underwhelming, and are cited as a factor weighing on builder sentiment. Trading for the day therefore reflects a cautious market mood, focused on the outlook for household borrowing and the performance of specific large-cap stocks. By the close, the index finishes down, driven primarily by these sector and company-specific losses rather than a single broad sell-off across all industries.