After one of the strongest years for London equities in over a decade, trading in the UK stock market is heading into Tuesday 9 December 2025 with a very specific cast of blue-chip names dominating turnover.
The FTSE 100 slipped around 0.2% to 9,645.09 on Monday, while the FTSE 250 fell about 0.7%, as investors took risk off the table ahead of crucial US Federal Reserve and Bank of England rate decisions . [1]
Yet beneath the modest index move, trading activity was intense in a cluster of large-cap stocks—especially energy, banks, miners and consumer staples.
Because the London Stock Exchange has not yet opened for cash trading on 9 December at the time of writing, the latest complete picture of “most active” shares comes from Monday’s full session . Those names are overwhelmingly likely to remain in focus as markets reopen today.
Data from TradingView’s “Most actively traded UK stocks” screen shows the top of the leaderboard, by value traded, as: BP, Barclays, Rolls‑Royce, Unilever, Lloyds, HSBC, London Stock Exchange Group, Anglo American, GSK and British American Tobacco . [2]
Below is a stock‑by‑stock look at what’s driving these heavyweights and what recent analysis says about their outlook.
UK Market Snapshot Heading Into December 9, 2025
Despite Monday’s dip, the UK market is coming off a powerful run. Recent analysis puts the FTSE 100’s 2025 total return at roughly 20–23% , with the index trading not far below the psychological 10,000‑point mark after hitting several record highs this year. TechStock²+ 2Morningstar+ 2
On Monday:
- The FTSE 100 closed at 9,645.09 , down 0.2%.
- The FTSE 250 dropped 0.7%, and AIM also drifted lower. [3]
- European stocks were broadly subdued as consumer names lagged and Unilever slumped following the spin‑off of its ice‑cream arm. [4]
At the futures level, FTSE 100 December futures traded around 9,657 in the early hours of Tuesday, with technical indicators flashing a cautious “sell” bias, underscoring how sensitive sentiment is at this week’s central-bank meetings. [5]
Analysts broadly expect:
- At 25 bp Fed cut this week , and
- A 25 bp BoE cut next week ,
but warn that any more hawkish tone could quickly hit sectors that have rallied hardest, such as banks and housebuilders. TechStock²+ 1
Against that macro backdrop, here’s what’s happening in the UK’s most traded stocks.
1. BP (BP.) – Buybacks and Oil Keep the Energy Giant in Play
Why it’s active
BP tops TradingView’s UK “most active” list by value, with around 100 million shares changing hands on Monday and the stock hovering near 450p , off only slightly on the day. [6]
Key drivers
- BP is midway through another multi‑billion‑dollar share‑buyback program , having repurchased roughly 1.5 million shares on 3 December alone as part of a scheme launched in early November. [7]
- A recent deep‑dive notes BP heading into year‑end near 52‑week highs after re‑emphasizing its core oil and gas business, trimming some lower‑return hydrogen projects and leaning hard into buybacks. TechStock²+ 1
What recent analysis says
- Commentators estimate a 2025–26 dividend yield in the 5–6% range , with further buybacks on top, but stress that after a ~27% six-month rally , much of the recovery is now priced in. [8]
- Articles also flag that BP remains highly exposed to oil‑price swings , climate policy and potential political pressure on fossil‑fuel majors.
For traders, that mix of high liquidity, strong recent performance and clear macro sensitivity makes BP a natural vehicle for expressing a view on both the oil market and global risk appetite .
2. Barclays (BARC) – Big Bank Momentum and Wealth‑Management Ambitions
Why it’s active
Barclays is second on the most active list , trading nearly 69 million shares on Monday and closing around 437p , up about 0.6% . [9]
Key news and catalysts
- Reuters’ daily “UK stocks – factors to watch” flagged that Barclays is exploring a potential acquisition of Evelyn Partners , one of Britain’s largest wealth managers, in a deal that could significantly expand its fee‑generating wealth franchise. [10]
- A separate analysis notes the stock rose about 0.7% on Monday as investors responded to the combination of share buybacks and the possible Evelyn deal as signs of management confidence. [11]
Performance and outlook
- In 2025 the Barclays share price has surged around 60–63% , helped by robust profits and capital returns, yet The Motley Fool points out the bank still trades at roughly 11× earnings , leaving room for further rerating if returns remain strong. [12]
- City AM calculations suggest the UK’s “Big Four” banks— Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest—added more than £115bn in market value this year , making financials a key engine of the FTSE 100’s rally. [13]
Traders will be watching for any confirmation of an Evelyn Partners bid , as well as commentary from management on capital allocation in a world where rate cuts are back on the table.
3. Rolls‑Royce Holdings (RR.) – High‑Octane Turnaround With Heavy Institutional Ownership
Why it’s active
Rolls‑Royce ranks third by value traded , with about 23 million shares changing hands and the price gaining roughly 2% to around 1,107p on Monday. [14]
Ownership and sentiment
- Research from Simply Wall St estimates institutions control about 81% of Rolls‑Royce’s shares , giving professional investors significant sway over day‑to‑day price action. [15]
Recent analysis
- A Seeking Alpha piece from last week describes the stock as a “buy‑the‑dip” opportunity , arguing that recent pull‑backs sit awkwardly alongside improving balance‑sheet strength and cash generation. [16]
- TS2 Tech and other commentators class Rolls‑Royce as a growth‑oriented play on both civil aviation recovery and defense spending, while warning that the valuation now reflects high expectations after a multi‑year turnaround. TechStock²+ 1
With high liquidity, a volatile history and a widely followed transformation story, Rolls‑Royce remains a favorite for momentum traders and long‑only growth investors alike.
4. Unilever (ULVR) – Magnum Spin‑Off Triggers Heavy Trading and a Share‑Price Hit
Why it’s active
Unilever appears prominently on both top‑volume and top‑value lists , trading over 4.6 million shares on Monday with the price sliding about 6.6% to 4,160p —one of the steepest falls in the FTSE 100. [17]
Magnum emerges and new listing
- Over the weekend, Unilever completed the demerger of its global ice-cream business , which now trades separately as the Magnum Ice Cream Company (MICC) . [18]
- Reports from The Times and other outlets put Magnum’s debut valuation in the €7.8–7.9bn range, below some earlier expectations, with secondary listings in London and New York alongside Amsterdam. [19]
8‑for‑9 share consolidation effective today
To reflect the spin‑off, Unilever is consolidating its shares on an 8‑for‑9 basis , meaning investors receive eight new shares for every nine previously held. The new, post‑consolidation shares start trading in London this morning (9 December) . [20]
Market reaction and outlook
- Monday’s session saw Unilever drag on both the FTSE 100 and wider European indices, as consumer-staples stocks slipped in the wake of the Magnum deal. [21]
- TS2’s UK‑stocks wrap notes that the demerger creates two distinct listed plays —a more focused Unilever in personal care and nutrition, and Magnum as a branded ice‑cream pure‑play—but stresses that post‑spin volatility is likely as active managers and index funds rebalance holdings. TechStock²+ 1
Heavy trading in Unilever and MICC today will largely reflect how investors choose to re‑weight between the two and what multiples they’re willing to pay for each business model.
5. Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) – Retail‑Investor Favorite Still Eyeing the £1 Mark
Why it’s active
Lloyds ranks among the top five most actively traded UK stocks , with more than 150 million shares changing hands and the price ending Monday just under 96p , little changed on the day. [22]
Capital returns
- At 5 December RNS details ongoing transactions in its own shares , as Lloyds continues a sizeable buyback program designed to return surplus capital and offset share issuance. [23]
Recent commentary
- Morningstar’s recent “ Stock of the Week ” feature highlights that Lloyds’ stock is up about 77% in 2025 , but argues the market may still underestimate its earnings power and capital strength. [24]
- The Motley Fool, meanwhile, focuses on the psychological £1 level , noting that the share price has climbed more than 45% since late 2024 , but warning that progress from here may depend heavily on the interest-rate path and UK economic resilience. [25]
For traders, Lloyds offers deep liquidity , a tight spread and clear sensitivity to both BoE policy and domestic macro data , making it a staple of UK trading screens.
6. HSBC Holdings (HSBA) – Global Lender Balancing Buybacks and Asian Strategy Risks
Why it’s active
HSBC sits mid‑pack on the activity table, with about 12.6 million shares traded and the stock drifting slightly higher to around 1,064.6p at Monday’s close. [26]
Capital-return story
- Regulatory filings show HSBC’s ongoing buyback program has retired more than 127 million shares since late July, shrinking the free float and signaling management’s confidence in capital generation. [27]
Recent volatility and outlook
- In October, HSBC’s shares fell roughly 6% in a day after investors balked at reported plans to acquire Hong Kong lender Hang Seng Bank , prompting debate over capital allocation and strategic focus in Asia. [28]
- At the same time, City AM notes HSBC is one of the big four UK banks that collectively added over £115bn in value during 2025, highlighting how investors have rotated into financials ahead of expected rate cuts. [29]
HSBC’s global footprint , exposure to Asian growth and sensitivity to global rates mean it is likely to remain one of the go‑to vehicles for macro trades on the London market.
7. London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) – Market Infrastructure Giant Buying Back Stock
Why it’s active
LSEG appears high on the most‑active list, with roughly 1.3 million shares traded and the stock slipping about 1.8% to 8,500p on Monday. [30]
Ongoing buyback
- Recent RNS notices show LSEG purchasing around 194,000 shares on 5 December as part of a buyback program announced in early November, adding to previous days’ transactions. [31]
Fundamentals and narrative
- Third‑quarter results, released in late November, confirmed solid growth in data & analytics , post‑trade and index services , reinforcing the group’s shift away from being just an “exchange” and toward a broader market‑infrastructure and data platform . [32]
- Yet a widely discussed Bloomberg feature points out that London’s primary equity market has been shrinking , as companies choose to list or move abroad, putting pressure on policymakers and LSEG to revive UK IPO volumes. [33]
The stock’s heavy trading reflects both its importance to UK capital markets and ongoing debate about how quickly London can adapt to increasingly global competition for listings.
8. Anglo American (AAL) – Copper‑Heavy Teak Megamerger on the Line
Why it’s active
Anglo American is heavily traded and appeared among Monday’s notable fallers, with more than 3.7 million shares changing hands and the price dropping about 1.7% . [34]
Teck Resources merger vote
- Anglo has proposed a $50–53bn “merger of equals” with Canada’s Teck Resources , a blockbuster transaction that would reshape the global copper and critical‑minerals landscape. A key shareholder vote is scheduled for December 9 . [35]
Governance twist
- In the run‑up to the vote, Anglo has withdrawn a controversial resolution that would have enriched executive long‑term incentive plans tied to the deal, following pressure from proxy advisers and investors. [36]
With copper seen as a cornerstone of the energy transition , traders are analyzing whether shareholders will prioritize long‑term growth or near‑term dilution and execution risks when they cast their votes.
9. GSK (GSK) – Defensive Pharma With Buybacks and Blood‑Cancer Data
Why it’s active
GSK is another blue‑chip mainstay of the most‑active list, with almost 6 million shares traded and the stock up close to 0.9% to around 1,820p . [37]
Capital management
- A recent filing reports GSK repurchased 233,000 shares on 4 December , bringing its treasury holding to about 5.8% of total voting rights as part of its 2025 buyback program. [38]
Pipeline and events
- The company is presenting new haematology data at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference from 6–9 December, including results from its DREAMM multiple‑myeloma program , which it says could help “redefine outcomes” for difficult‑to‑treat patients. [39]
- Earlier in the year, GSK suffered a setback when a US FDA advisory panel recommended against approval of its Blenrep blood‑cancer drug, sending the shares sharply lower and reminding investors of the regulatory risks in its pipeline. [40]
Income‑focused commentators continue to highlight GSK’s dividend and resilient cash flows as attractive within the FTSE 100, especially in a year when UK equities have outpaced many global peers. TechStock²+ 1
10. British American Tobacco (BATS) – High Yield and Portfolio Simplification
Why it’s active
BAT rounds out the top‑ten most active list by value, trading roughly 2.3 million shares with the price up about 0.8% to 4,317p . [41]
Recent deal activity
- The company has just completed the sale of a 9% stake in India’s ITC Hotels via an accelerated block trade, raising about $430m , while retaining a 6.3% holding . [42]
- BAT has framed the divestment as part of broader efforts to streamline its portfolio and reduce debt , a key concern for equity investors.
Investment narrative
BAT remains one of the highest‑yielding stocks in the FTSE 100 , but faces mounting regulatory and ESG headwinds across both traditional cigarettes and newer nicotine products. Market commentary suggests that deleveraging and disciplined cash returns will be crucial to sustaining shareholder support from here. [43]
Other Highly Traded UK Stocks to Watch
Beyond the top ten, Monday’s data show heavy trading in a broader set of FTSE names, many of which are likely to stay in the spotlight today: [44]
- Prudential (PRU) – The insurer’s shares rose about 1.8% on Monday , closing almost £10.98 , outperforming a falling FTSE 100 as investors reacted to news that its Indian JV, ICICI Prudential Asset Management , has filed for an IPO and to continued share buybacks. [45]
- Rio Tinto (RIO) – Trading remains robust as the miner outlines a strategy to become “stronger, sharper and simpler”, guiding for 7% production growth in 2025 and a 3% CAGR to 2030 across copper, iron ore and lithium. [46]
- Shell (SHEL) – Another energy heavyweight high on the activity list, Shell’s shares eased slightly Monday but remain near multi‑month highs, closely tracking moves in the oil price and corporate deals in the North Sea. [47]
- NatWest, Standard Chartered, Legal & General, Aviva and Vodafone – All feature in top‑volume screens, reflecting how traders continue to use financials and telecoms as liquid proxies for UK macro and rate expectations. [48]
What Today’s Most Active UK Stocks Are Telling the Market
Looking across the most actively traded UK stocks heading into 9 December 2025 , several themes stand out:
- Banks and insurers are center stage. Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest and Prudential are all seeing heavy flow as investors position for an impending rate‑cut cycle and reassess valuations after a stellar year. [49]
- Corporate actions are driving big volume spikes. Unilever’s Magnum spin‑off and share consolidation , Anglo American’s proposed Teck megamerger , LSEG’s and GSK’s buybacks , and BAT’s ITC Hotels sale are all drawing in event‑driven traders. [50]
- Energy and miners remain macro bellwethers. BP, Shell, Anglo American and Rio Tinto sit at the intersection of commodity cycles , China growth and the energy transition , making them natural vehicles for global macro views. [51]
- Defensive income and growth stories still have legacies. GSK, BAT and Unilever are seeing strong two‑way flow as investors juggle high dividends against regulatory, ESG and execution risks , while Rolls‑Royce exemplifies the high‑beta growth names that have powered 2025’s rally. Morningstar+ 4TechStock²+ 4LSEG+ 4
Final note
All prices and trading statistics in this article are based on data from the London session on Monday 8 December 2025 and pre‑market futures information on Tuesday 9 December 2025 . They will almost certainly move once cash trading begins today.
References
1. www.investing.com, 2. www.tradingview.com, 3. uk.finance.yahoo.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.investing.com, 6. www.tradingview.com, 7. www.tradingview.com, 8. www.fool.co.uk, 9. www.tradingview.com, 10. www.tradingview.com, 11. coincentral.com, 12. www.fool.co.uk, 13. www.cityam.com, 14. www.tradingview.com, 15. simplywall.st, 16. seekingalpha.com, 17. www.tradingview.com, 18. www.directorstalkinterviews.com, 19. www.thetimes.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. www.tradingview.com, 23. www.tradingview.com, 24. global.morningstar.com, 25. www.fool.co.uk, 26. www.tradingview.com, 27. www.stocktitan.net, 28. www.fool.co.uk, 29. www.cityam.com, 30. www.tradingview.com, 31. mondovisione.com, 32. www.londonstockexchange.com, 33. www.bloomberg.com, 34. www.tradingview.com, 35. www.angloamerican.com, 36. www.londonstockexchange.com, 37. www.tradingview.com, 38. www.stocktitan.net, 39. www.gsk.com, 40. www.reuters.com, 41. www.tradingview.com, 42. www.bat.com, 43. www.bat.com, 44. www.tradingview.com, 45. www.marketwatch.com, 46. www.riotinto.com, 47. www.tradingview.com, 48. www.tradingview.com, 49. www.cityam.com, 50. www.reuters.com, 51. tradingeconomics.com
