The FTSE 100 opened 27.61 points higher at 10,722.86 on Monday, driven by a rise in oil prices after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal for a seven-day truce that could have reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures climbed 2.48% to $106.9 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 2.09% to $94.34 per barrel.
Sterling strengthened to $1.3247 early Monday, up from $1.3238 at the London equities close on Friday. Against the euro, the pound rose to €1.1627 from €1.1616 a day earlier.
Gainers and Losers
On the upside, Barratt Redrow surged 14.01% to 352.30p after the government confirmed it would introduce a new equity-loan program for first-time buyers in next month’s Budget. Howden Joinery Group advanced 5.27% to 799.00p, and Kingfisher gained 4.54% to 343.30p. JD Sports Fashion rose 2.17% to 79.18p, Games Workshop Group added 1.94% to 17,910p, and Marks & Spencer Group increased 1.68% to 380.80p.
On the downside, Fresnillo fell 5.29% to 2,737p, while Endeavour Mining declined 4.77% to 4,309p. Antofagasta dropped 3.78% to 3,589p, Anglo American slipped 3.34% to 3,907p, and Rio Tinto lost 2.22% to 6,931p. Computacenter also traded lower, falling 1.20% to 5,345p.
Aldi to Invest £900 Million for New Stores
Aldi announced plans to invest £900 million in opening new stores next year. The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain reported record sales growth of 5% to £19 billion in 2025, driven by a £340 million investment in price cuts on products such as butter, meat, and frozen fish. Chief Executive Giles Hurley said, “The cost of food remains one of the biggest pressures on households across the country. We’re working hard to make good food more affordable for every family.”
Chrysalis Sells Stake in Klarna
Chrysalis sold its remaining stake in buy now, pay later firm Klarna for £34 million after a stock decline over the past year. The investment trust said the exit price exceeded its recent valuation of the holdings, reversing some earlier drawdowns. Chrysalis will return £25 million to shareholders through a buyback program and retain £9 million as a prudent operating capital buffer for potential follow-on investments.
Entain Predicts Earnings Decline
Entain warned that its global earnings will suffer due to Brazil’s newly announced ban on online sports betting. The company said the ban pushes its full-year earnings to the lower end of its £910 million-to-£960 million guidance. In a statement, Entain said it is “disappointed by this sudden development without consultation with industry stakeholders regarding its significant adverse consequences,” but confirmed its Brazilian operations are complying with the provisional measure.
Global Market Overview
In the US, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 180 points (0.4%), S&P 500 futures lost 0.4%, and Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.7%. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.73% to 65,877.62, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 1.67%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.61%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged down 2.7%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 1.34% and 1.38%, respectively.
