FTSE 100 hits record close as defence and financial stocks surge
The blue-chip index (.FTSE), opens new tab gained for a fourth consecutive day, ending up 0.1%. The midcap (.FTMC), opens new tab index declined 0.2%.
Investors responded positively to UK second-quarter GDP figures, which showed that growth slowed less than expected despite U.S. trade tariffs and a weaker jobs market.
While Wall Street retreated following unexpectedly high U.S. producer price inflation data - dampening hopes for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts - the UK benchmark remained resilient.
The aerospace and defence (.FTNMX502010), opens new tab index provided a boost, rising 2%.
Financials added further support as insurer Aviva (AV.L), opens new tab jumped 2.5% to a 17-year high after raising its interim dividend and reporting a 22% increase in half-year operating profit, boosting the life insurers' index (.FTNMX303010), opens new tab 1.5%.
The non-life insurers index (.FTNMX303020), opens new tab advanced 1.9%, with Admiral Group (ADML.L), opens new tab rising 6.6% after reporting a 67% jump in half-year pretax profit.
British Gas owner Centrica (CNA.L), opens new tab rose 3.7% after announcing it would jointly buy National Grid's (NG.L), opens new tab Grain LNG terminal with U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners for about 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion).
On the flip side, the energy sector (.FTNMX601010), opens new tab fell 1.4%.
Harbour Energy (HBR.L), opens new tab led the losses, falling 4.8%, while oil major Shell (SHEL.L), opens new tab fell over 1%.
Industrial metal miners (.FTNMX551020), opens new tab also retreated 2.3%.
Some major names, including HSBC (HSBA.L), opens new tab, BP (BP.L), opens new tab, Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK.L), opens new tab and Hiscox (HSX.L), opens new tab, fell close to 1% as their shares went ex-dividend - trading without entitlement to the latest dividend payout.
Among other movers, technical products distributor Diploma (DPLM.L), opens new tab fell 2.9% after finance chief Chris Davies stepped down.
($1 = 0.7365 pounds)
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Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
BRIAN READE: 'We must shame rich into sharing fortunes to rebuild Broken Britain'
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Telegraph
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The Sun
24 minutes ago
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Summer's nearly done, and let's be honest, a lot of students will be thinking about getting back to uni or college. Tesco Mobile is offering a brilliant bundle deal that combines a Chromebook and Samsung's budget-friendly A16 handset - with the lowest monthly price starting at just £19.99 with a Clubcard. Samsung Galaxy A16 with Chromebook Go, from £23.99p/m (£19.99p/m with Clubcard) This is an absolute gem of a deal for students looking for some low-cost tech for their studies ahead of their return to colleges and universities. Tesco Mobile has rolled out a deal that covers all the bases, without a fuss. You get a Samsung Galaxy A16 smartphone and a Chromebook Go laptop, all on one simple, low-cost contract. Better yet, there are big savings for shoppers with a Tesco Clubcard. If you're signed up to the supermarket's loyalty scheme, the 3GB data plan drops to £19.99 per month (it's typically £23.99 per month). The 12GB plan, meanwhile, is a just £22.99 a month (usually £28.99 per month). The Samsung Galaxy A16 is one of the brand's most affordable handsets. Let's be clear: it doesn't have all the AI-powered bells and whistles of a flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. But despite being a budget device, it's still got the pedigree of the UK's top-selling Android brand, and has an impressive-looking range of features. It comes with a big, crisp 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. That's the sort of size you generally expect from 'max' smartphones - and to be fair, the aforementioned Galaxy S25 Ultra is only slightly larger at 6.9 inches. The camera on the back of the A16 is eye-catching for an entry-level device, with a 50MP main sensor that should snap some decent photos. Up front, there's a solid 13MP camera for all your video calls with the family or for getting that perfect selfie. And let's talk about the battery, because this thing is an absolute beast - it's a huge 5,000mAh unit that will keep you going all day long. (That's an interesting aspect of cheap phones, by the way: they tend to have great stamina.) A when you do need to charge it up, the fast charging gets you back in the game in no time. Interestingly, the SIM-free Galaxy A16 is currently sold out on Amazon, where it has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 and largely positive reviews. One shopper says: 'Amazing phone, highly recommended... Love, love, love!' Another customer talks about its 'first-class service.' The Chromebook Go is a top bit of kit for a student on the move. It weighs next to nothing at 1.45kg, so you can just chuck it in your bag without even noticing it's there. It runs on Chrome OS and fires up in seconds, perfect for knocking out essays or doing research without any faffing about. The screen even folds right back, which is handy for showing your mates something you're working on. With a battery that goes the distance for up to 12 hours, you'll be able to work all day without worrying about power. As Tesco points out on its website, if you need wi-fi on the Chromebook, you can use the Samsung A16 to create a hotspot, making them excellent partners. So basically, you've got a single, simple way to get a phone and a laptop on one bill. The bundle comes with a standard 24-month manufacturer's warranty from Samsung in the UK. Honestly, for anyone heading off to studies in the near future, this deal's a no-brainer. Earlier this week, tech writer Tom Tyers spotted a .
