FTSE 100 Rises Toward Record Levels Led by AstraZeneca, GSK

2025-09-29 07:52 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

The FTSE 100 rose over 0.5% toward record levels at around 9340 on Monday, outpacing European peers as pharma stocks led gains.

AstraZeneca climbed more than 1.5% after unveiling plans to upgrade its US listing by directly listing ordinary shares on the NYSE, replacing its ADRs, while keeping its HQ and tax base in the UK.

Reports that Britain may raise drug payments to safeguard exports to the US also lent support.

GSK jumped nearly 4%, topping the index, after announcing CEO Emma Walmsley will step down in January, to be succeeded by Luke Miels, a seasoned pharma executive credited with building its specialty medicines portfolio.

Investors welcomed the change and the company’s strong pipeline of 15 potential launches by 2031.

Politically, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to address the Labour conference, with debate over cutting the OBR’s forecasts to one per year stirring controversy.



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