London’s FTSE 100 experienced a modest increase on Friday, buoyed by acquisition-related advances in Vodafone and easyJet. However, ongoing tensions in the Middle East constrained additional upward movement.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.08% to 10,480.31 points by 1053, while the midcap FTSE 250 gained 0.1%. However, both indexes remained on track to post weekly losses.

• Vodafone opened new tab jumped 12.6% to the top of the FTSE 100 after the UAE telecoms group e& opened new tab announced it would sell its stake in the British telecoms company to the family investment vehicle of French billionaire Xavier Niel in a deal valued at nearly $6 billion.
• easyJet rose 14.5% to top the FTSE 250 after the budget carrier agreed in principle to a 5.7 billion-pound takeover approach from Apollo Global, helping travel and leisure stocks lead sectoral gains, up 1.6%.
• Industrial metal miners are experiencing a positive trend, gaining 0.8%, with Atalaya Mining, Antofagasta, and Rio Tinto seeing increases ranging from 1.4% to 1.8%.
• Renewed tensions in the Middle East have negatively impacted investor sentiment following Iranian forces’ attacks on U.S. military infrastructure in Gulf states. This development further undermines a three-week-old ceasefire and raises uncertainty regarding the conflict’s trajectory.
• Investment banks and brokerages fell 0.8%, with St. James’s Place among the FTSE 100’s worst performers, sliding 8.7% following a report that Sovereign Wealth — one of the money manager’s largest partner firms — was in talks to join a Swedish wealth management group.
• Shares of Hays rose 13.8% after the recruiter indicated it anticipates annual operating profit at the upper limit of market expectations, supported by cost reductions and enhanced consultant productivity.
• On the political front, Andy Burnham has gained significant momentum towards becoming Britain’s next prime minister, having garnered substantial support from Labour lawmakers, thereby positioning himself favourably to succeed Keir Starmer.