FTSE 100 closes near record as deal buzz lifts London stocks — here’s what moved UK shares
The FTSE 100 closed up 0.42% at 10,446.35, near record highs, with deal activity and rate-cut bets offsetting AI disruption concerns. NatWest dropped 2.5% after posting £7.7 billion in 2025 pretax profit and announcing a £750 million buyback. Defence shares outperformed, while sterling headed for its biggest weekly loss versus the euro in over two months. Bank of England officials pushed back on rapid rate-cut expectations.
