FTSE 100 Rises Led by Astra & BP
The FTSE 100 rose 0.5% on Friday, outperforming global markets amid a tech-led selloff, as strong earnings from heavyweight stocks AstraZeneca and BP supported the index. AstraZeneca gained around 3% after reporting third-quarter core operating profit and earnings per share above expectations, driven by double-digit revenue growth across its oncology, respiratory and immunology, and rare disease businesses. The company also reaffirmed its guidance, while peer GSK advanced approximately 2%. BP climbed more than 1% after posting profits of $8.46 billion, well above analyst estimates, supported by strong refining margins; Shell rose around 0.8%. Consumer stocks Unilever and BAT also gained more than 1.5%. Banks were among the main laggards, with NatWest falling over 3% despite reporting operating profit ahead of estimates and reaffirming its guidance. The FTSE 100 gained around 0.7% over the week, recovering from the previous week's decline of more than 1%.
The FTSE 100 rose 0.5% on Friday, outperforming global markets amid a tech-led selloff, as strong earnings from heavyweight stocks AstraZeneca and BP supported the index. AstraZeneca gained around 3% after reporting third-quarter core operating profit and earnings per share above expectations, driven by double-digit revenue growth across its oncology, respiratory and immunology, and rare disease businesses. The company also reaffirmed its guidance, while peer GSK advanced approximately 2%. BP climbed more than 1% after posting profits of $8.46 billion, well above analyst estimates, supported by strong refining margins; Shell rose around 0.8%.
Consumer stocks Unilever and BAT also gained more than 1.5%. Banks were among the main laggards, with NatWest falling over 3% despite reporting operating profit ahead of estimates and reaffirming its guidance. The FTSE 100 gained around 0.7% over the week, recovering from the previous week's decline of more than 1%.