FTSE 100 Edges Up, Advances for 2nd Month

The FTSE 100 Index gained 8 points or 0.08 percent on Friday to close at 10434 points. Gains were led by Easyjet Plc (4.79%), Auto Trader (4.71%) and Endeavour (3.58%). Biggest losers were British American Tobacco (-2.83%), SSE (-2.25%) and Tesco (-2.23%).

The FTSE 100 edged slightly higher on Friday and rose for a second month, though the index is still around 4.4% below levels seen before the war began. Sentiment was supported by positive developments in the Middle East after reports that the US and Iran agreed to extend their ceasefire by 60 days, pending approval from President Donald Trump. Oil prices moved lower on expectations that the truce could hold. AstraZeneca gained around 0.3% after its blockbuster drug Imfinzi received US approval for the treatment of early bladder cancer. Defence stocks also advanced, with BAE Systems up 0.5% and Rolls Royce gaining 1.9%. Among banks, HSBC added 1.2%, Lloyds rose 0.5% and Barclays gained 1.9%. On the other hand, Shell fell more than 1%, as well as Unilever. BAT dropped more than 2.5% and GSK fell over 1%.

The FTSE 100 edged slightly higher on Friday and remained on track for another monthly gain, rising 0.6% in May after a 2% increase in April, though the index is still around 4.4% below levels seen before the war began. Sentiment was supported by positive developments in the Middle East after reports that the US and Iran agreed to extend their ceasefire by 60 days, pending approval from President Donald Trump. Oil prices moved lower on expectations that the truce could hold. AstraZeneca gained around 1% after its blockbuster drug Imfinzi received US approval for the treatment of early bladder cancer. Defence stocks also advanced, with BAE Systems up 0.9% and Rolls Royce gaining 1.1%. Among banks, Lloyds and Barclays rose 0.7% and 1.2% respectively, while HSBC edged lower. Unilever also declined, while BAT dropped more than 1.5% and GSK fell over 0.5%.