FTSE 100 Edges Up After Tentative Start

FTSE 100

Following a period of uncertainty at the outset of the session, the UK stock market made gains in positive territory on Thursday morning, as investors responded to various earnings updates and data indicating a quicker rate of economic growth in the first quarter. The benchmark index was up 27.15 points or 0.25% at 10,352.50 recently.

  • Legal & General experienced an increase of 5.2%. Relx, Barclays, Admiral Group, Imperial Brands, and National Grid experienced an increase ranging from 2% to 2.2%.
  • Standard Life experienced an increase of nearly 2%. British American Tobacco, Land Securities Group, Pearson, Reckitt Benckiser, Whitbread, St. James’s Place, Smiths Group, Vodafone Group, M&G, Compass Group, and Severn Trent experienced increases ranging from 1% to 1.8%.
  • Land Securities experienced an increase of nearly 2% following its projection of continued rent growth, having reported full-year earnings that met expectations.
  • National Grid experienced an upward movement following the announcement of full-year earnings that surpassed expectations.
  • 3i Group shares plummeted 12% following the company’s announcement that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East would adversely impact its primary investment, Action.
  • Burberry Group experienced a decline of 5.6%. The British fashion house disclosed a 2% decline in full-year reported revenue, even as profitability showed significant recovery.
  • Babcock International and Coca-Cola HBC experienced declines of 2% and 1.7%, respectively. IAG, Tesco, Antofagasta, and Metlen Energy & Metals experienced declines in the range of 1% to 1.2%.

The UK economy experienced accelerated growth in the first quarter, bolstered by contributions from all three sectors, according to the Office for National Statistics on Thursday. Gross domestic product experienced a sequential increase of 0.6%, building on the fourth quarter’s 0.2% growth. The rate aligned with projections. The service sector was the primary driver of growth, recording an expansion of 0.8%, whereas construction and industrial output increased by 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively.

In March alone, GDP expanded at a rate of 0.3% following a 0.4% increase in February, contrary to economists’ expectations of a contraction of 0.1%. In 2025, GDP increased by 1.4%, in contrast to the 1% growth observed in 2024. Another data indicated that the visible trade deficit expanded to GBP 27.2 billion in March, up from GBP 22.8 billion in February. Exports experienced a modest increase of 0.1%, in contrast, imports saw a significant rise of 8.1%.