London’s primary FTSE indexes experienced a modest increase on Thursday, driven by robust business updates from financial and retail sectors. Additionally, investor interest was heightened following easyJet’s indication of a potential buyout by Castlelake.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.3% by 0901, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 0.7%. Both indexes were poised to register one-week highs.

• Financials experienced sectoral gains, increasing by 3.4%, with private equity group 3i Group seeing a notable rise of 9.7% following its retail brand Action’s report of a 3.3% increase in like-for-like sales for the 25 weeks ending June 21.
• Greeting card retailer Moonpig experienced a notable increase of 10.3% following the announcement of positive annual pre-tax profits, attributed to customers opting for higher-priced gifts.
• Bicycles and car parts retailer Halfords soared 16.1% after forecasting fiscal year 2027 profit towards the top end of analyst expectations.
• British budget carrier easyJet rose 6.2% after rejecting a fourth, sweetened £4.93 billion ($6.50 billion) takeover proposal from U.S.-based investment firm Castlelake, but stated it would grant the suitor limited access to commercial information in hopes of drawing a higher bid.
• ITVL jumped 2.3% after Comcast-owned Sky agreed on terms to buy the FTSE midcap’s broadcast and streaming unit.
• Advanced Medical Solutions Group shot up 16% after the medical supplier received a £715 million buyout deal, including debt, from U.S.-based adhesives maker H.B. Fuller.
• A key U.S. inflation report, which could offer insights into the trajectory of monetary policy, is anticipated later in the day.
• Traders expect the Bank of England to increase borrowing costs by 25 basis points by the end of the year, based on data compiled by LSEG.
• In the realm of politics, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves has expressed her endorsement for Andy Burnham, who is expected to ascend as the UK’s seventh prime minister within the next fortnight.