FTSE 100 Trades Cautiously Higher
The FTSE 100 traded slightly higher on Thursday, outperforming other European markets, supported by gains in energy and consumer stocks. Shell and BP rose 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively, while Unilever added 0.8% and BAT gained 1.9%. In contrast, pharmaceutical and defence stocks weakened, with AstraZeneca and GSK both down 0.4%, Rolls-Royce falling more than 1% and BAE Systems declining 0.6%. Oil prices remained volatile as the US again indicated that substantial volumes were moving through the Strait of Hormuz, while investors continued to monitor diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war. Among individual stocks, Halma gained 0.2% after raising its margin guidance and maintaining expectations for 30% revenue growth in its AI-exposed Photonics business. Vistry swung to a first-half loss after booking a £475 million impairment and revised its order-book definition. Raspberry Pi said second-half volumes were rising and that memory inventories remained sufficient to meet annual targets.
The FTSE 100 traded slightly higher on Thursday, outperforming other European markets, supported by gains in energy and consumer stocks. 9%. 6%. Oil prices remained volatile as the US again indicated that substantial volumes were moving through the Strait of Hormuz, while investors continued to monitor diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war.
2% after raising its margin guidance and maintaining expectations for 30% revenue growth in its AI-exposed Photonics business. Vistry swung to a first-half loss after booking a £475 million impairment and revised its order-book definition. Raspberry Pi said second-half volumes were rising and that memory inventories remained sufficient to meet annual targets.