UK's FTSE 100 rises on healthcare, energy boost; set for firm weekly gains
EWU•EWU•EWU•EWU•The FTSE 100 rose 0.3% to 10,891.1 points on Friday, with healthcare and energy shares among the biggest boosts, and was set for its best weekly showing since mid-October. The FTSE 250 slipped 0.3%.
The FTSE 100 rose 0.3% to 10,891.1 points by 1104 GMT, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.3%. Both indexes were headed for weekly gains, with the FTSE 100 on track for its best week since mid-October.
Aviva gained 2.7% after reporting a 19% rise in general insurance premiums for the first nine months of 2026. BP and Shell rose about 1% each, while AstraZeneca and GSK also edged higher. DFS Furniture fell 4.5% after warning that the upholstery market had softened further.
Precious metal miners slipped 0.6% and were set for a weekly decline of more than 6%. Investors were watching for a US producer prices reading, while UK inflation and jobs data were due the following week. Traders priced in an over 82% chance of another 25-basis-point Bank of England rate increase next month.
