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FTSE 100 News 20 January 2026 - 6 February 2026

UK Stock Market Forecast 2026: FTSE 100 clings to rate-cut bets as AI jitters hit data stocks

UK Stock Market Forecast 2026: FTSE 100 clings to rate-cut bets as AI jitters hit data stocks

London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2% by midday Friday, led by gains in Barclays, NatWest, and Lloyds, while RELX dropped 3.5% amid an AI selloff. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% after a narrow vote and signaled possible cuts if inflation slows. Sterling fell 0.6% against the dollar. Markets now expect the Bank Rate to fall to 3.0% by March 2027.
6 February 2026
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UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Steadies Near Flat as AI Jitters Drag RELX

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Steadies Near Flat as AI Jitters Drag RELX

RELX fell 4.2% and Sage Group dropped 2.8% Friday, leading FTSE 100 decliners as AI disruption fears hit data and software stocks. The FTSE 100 was flat at 10,310.70 by 10:47 GMT. Sterling and UK bonds slid after a narrow Bank of England vote revived rate cut bets. Halifax reported UK house prices rose 0.7% in January, topping £300,000 for the first time.
6 February 2026
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FTSE 100 slips from highs as Bank of England looms; Shell results hit UK shares today

FTSE 100 slips from highs as Bank of England looms; Shell results hit UK shares today

UK stocks slipped Thursday, with the FTSE 100 down 0.2% to 10,382 by 1052 GMT as investors awaited the Bank of England’s rate decision. Shell fell 1.9% after missing profit forecasts but kept its buyback pace. Vodafone dropped 4.7% after launching a €500 million buyback. The STOXX 600 lost 0.5% amid mixed European earnings.
5 February 2026
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FTSE 100 breaks 10,400 as Zurich-Beazley bid and GSK lift UK stocks ahead of BoE

FTSE 100 breaks 10,400 as Zurich-Beazley bid and GSK lift UK stocks ahead of BoE

FTSE 100 rose 1.0% to 10,418.51 by mid-morning Wednesday, with Beazley shares jumping nearly 9% after Zurich raised its takeover bid. GSK gained 2.3% on a positive long-term outlook. AI-linked stocks like RELX and LSEG fell again after recent tech sector jitters. Sterling hit a five-month high against the euro ahead of the Bank of England’s rate decision.
4 February 2026
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Zurich’s £8bn Beazley bid jolts FTSE 100 to a fresh record as GSK rallies, AI fears hit data stocks

Zurich’s £8bn Beazley bid jolts FTSE 100 to a fresh record as GSK rallies, AI fears hit data stocks

Zurich Insurance has proposed to buy Beazley for up to 1,335 pence per share, valuing the deal at about £8 billion. Beazley’s board said it would support the offer if Zurich makes a firm bid by Feb. 16. Beazley shares rose 9% on the news. The FTSE 100 hit a new intraday high, with GSK up and Relx and LSEG under pressure from AI concerns.
4 February 2026
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UK stock market today: FTSE 100 hits new high then stalls as miners jump, RELX slides

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 hits new high then stalls as miners jump, RELX slides

The FTSE 100 hit a record 10,373.28 early Tuesday before slipping 0.05% by 10:15 GMT, as mining stocks surged on sharp rebounds in gold and silver. Endeavour Mining jumped 5.5%, Fresnillo 4.4%. The FTSE 250 edged up 0.15%. Investors await Thursday’s Bank of England rate decision, with the Bank Rate at 3.75%.
3 February 2026
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UK stock market today: FTSE 100 steadies as miners tumble in metals rout, BoE looms

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 steadies as miners tumble in metals rout, BoE looms

FTSE 100 edged up 0.1% by late morning as defensive shares offset sharp losses in mining stocks. Commodity prices tumbled after President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, with gold down 5% and silver over 7%. FTSE 250 fell 0.4%, led by declines in Auction Technology Group and Ocado. UK manufacturing PMI rose to 51.8 in January, signaling growth.
2 February 2026
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Anglo American share price slides as metals rout bites FTSE miners — what to watch next

Anglo American share price slides as metals rout bites FTSE miners — what to watch next

Anglo American shares fell about 3.5% to 3,288 pence in early London trading Monday, tracking a sharp selloff in metals after Kevin Warsh was named to lead the Federal Reserve. Spot gold dropped 5%, silver over 7%, and copper 3% as a stronger dollar and higher futures margins triggered forced selling. Mining stocks weighed on the FTSE 100, which slipped 0.4% by 0820 GMT. Investors await Anglo’s production report on Feb 5.
2 February 2026
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Ashtead share price slides as FTSE Russell sets March FTSE 100 exit ahead of NYSE move

Ashtead share price slides as FTSE Russell sets March FTSE 100 exit ahead of NYSE move

Ashtead will leave the FTSE UK Index Series on March 2 after shifting its primary listing to New York, pending court approval. Shares closed Friday at 4,687 pence, down 0.8% after a 7.6% drop Thursday. The company bought back 73,921 shares on Jan. 28 as part of its $1.5 billion repurchase program. The last day to trade Ashtead shares in London is expected to be Feb. 27.
31 January 2026
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FTSE 100 hovers near record as Experian jumps on $1bn buyback and miners slide

FTSE 100 hovers near record as Experian jumps on $1bn buyback and miners slide

London’s FTSE 100 touched a record intraday high before ending up 0.2% at 10,189, supported by banks and Experian’s 3.6% jump on a $1 billion buyback. Major miners slid as gold fell 4% and silver dropped over 6%. Bank of England data showed UK mortgage approvals hit a seven-month low in December. The FTSE 250 was flat.
30 January 2026
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FTSE 100 rises as miners lift London stocks; 3i soars, Lloyds upgrades targets

FTSE 100 rises as miners lift London stocks; 3i soars, Lloyds upgrades targets

London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.44% to 10,198.75 by 1105 GMT, led by mining and financial stocks. Gold surged near $5,600 an ounce, hitting new highs as investors sought safe havens amid geopolitical tensions and a weaker dollar. 3i Group jumped 14% after strong results from Action, while Lloyds gained 0.5% on a profit beat and new share buyback. Sterling hovered near multi-year highs against the dollar.
29 January 2026
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FTSE 100 today slips as pound jumps and gold hits $5,300; Marston’s dives

FTSE 100 today slips as pound jumps and gold hits $5,300; Marston’s dives

FTSE 100 fell 0.3% to 10,177.85 as a stronger pound hit overseas earners. Gold reached a record above $5,300 an ounce, boosting miners, while Marston’s dropped up to 16% on flat 17-week sales. Traders awaited the U.S. Fed’s policy decision later Wednesday. Oil prices eased but held near four-month highs after U.S. supply disruptions.
28 January 2026
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UK stock market today: FTSE 100 rises toward 10,200 as banks lead gains

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 rises toward 10,200 as banks lead gains

Bank shares pushed London’s FTSE 100 up 0.5% to 10,197 on Tuesday, while the FTSE 250 was flat. UK shop prices rose 1.5% year-on-year in January, the fastest pace in nearly two years. Dr Martens dropped 8.7% after warning on demand. Cranswick signaled profits at the top end of its forecast range.
27 January 2026
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UK stock market today: FTSE 100 steadies as gold tops $5,100 and Spire surges

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 steadies as gold tops $5,100 and Spire surges

FTSE 100 rose 0.05% to 10,148.03 by mid-morning Monday, lifted by metal miners as gold hit a record above $5,100 an ounce. Spire Healthcare jumped on takeover interest, while Costain advanced after a pension deal cleared the way for a £20 million share buyback. Sterling touched $1.3665, its highest since September. Banks drew focus ahead of earnings, with some expected to raise profit forecasts.
26 January 2026
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UK stock market today: FTSE 100 slips as upbeat UK data meets rate-cut doubts; Babcock, C&C move

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 slips as upbeat UK data meets rate-cut doubts; Babcock, C&C move

The FTSE 100 fell 0.13% to 10,136.43 on Friday, reversing early gains as strong UK retail sales and a jump in business activity fueled speculation the Bank of England may delay rate cuts. Retail sales rose 0.4% in December, beating forecasts, while the UK Composite PMI hit 53.9, its highest since April 2024. Babcock shares slipped 1.2% after its CEO announced plans to retire. C&C Group dropped 9.6% on a profit warning.
23 January 2026
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Aviva share price dips, but near-6% dividend talk keeps the FTSE 100 insurer in focus

Aviva share price dips, but near-6% dividend talk keeps the FTSE 100 insurer in focus

Aviva shares fell 0.6% to 659.8 pence in London Thursday, with trailing dividend yields at 5.6%. The insurer’s next earnings report is set for March 5. Commentary flagged forecast yields near 6% for 2025-26, though the board has not approved dividends beyond the latest interim payout. Aviva reported a £1.07 billion interim profit and a 206% Solvency II cover ratio for 2025.
22 January 2026
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Stock Market Today

Toyota stock price rises on CEO shake-up and higher profit outlook as buyout deadline nears

Toyota stock price rises on CEO shake-up and higher profit outlook as buyout deadline nears

7 February 2026
Toyota shares rose 2% to 3,780 yen Friday after the company raised its full-year profit forecast and announced CFO Kenta Kon will replace CEO Koji Sato on April 1. Third-quarter net revenues climbed 6.8% to 38.087 trillion yen, but North America posted a 5.6 billion yen operating loss. Toyota’s U.S. ADRs closed up 2.9%. The tender offer for Toyota Industries shares closes Feb. 12.
HSBC share price bounces back after BoE split vote — what to watch before Feb 25 results

HSBC share price bounces back after BoE split vote — what to watch before Feb 25 results

7 February 2026
HSBC shares closed up 2.2% at £13.06 on Friday, reversing Thursday’s drop as traders weighed possible Bank of England rate cuts and awaited the bank’s annual results on Feb. 25. The FTSE 100 rose 0.6%, with major UK banks also gaining. HSBC is also preparing to cut some banker bonuses and push out underperformers amid a cost reset. Key UK, U.S., and euro zone economic data are due next week.
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