The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.23% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index gained 24 points or 0.23 percent on Friday to close at 10497 points. Gains were led by Vodafone (12.67%), Entain (4.04%) and Marks & Spencer (2.14%). Biggest losers were St. Jamess (-8.63%), AstraZeneca (-3.49%) and Hiscox (-1.63%).

The FTSE 100 gained on Friday as markets steadied after a volatile week marked by renewed Middle East tensions. Vodafone shares surged nearly 13% after French billionaire Xavier Niel agreed to acquire Emirates Telecommunications’ stake, making him the company’s largest shareholder. Mining stocks also supported the index, with firm metals prices lifting Rio Tinto by 0.9% and Anglo American by 0.8%. In the FTSE 250, EasyJet jumped after private equity firm Apollo agreed to buy the airline for £7.15 per share in a deal worth around £5.7 billion, exceeding a rival offer from Castlelake. On the downside, St James’s Place dropped by over 8% after reports that a major advice firm plans to leave the wealth manager, raising concerns over adviser retention. AstraZeneca also fell more than 3%, extending losses after a failed drug trial. Despite Friday’s recovery, the FTSE 100 ended the week 1.7% lower, breaking a two-week winning streak.

The FTSE 100 traded little changed to slightly higher on Friday as markets stabilized after a volatile week dominated by renewed tensions in the Middle East. Mining stocks provided support, with Rio Tinto rising about 1.5%, Glencore adding 0.5%, while Anglo American and Antofagasta gained 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively. In contrast, AstraZeneca fell more than 1%, extending Thursday's 6.2% decline after its gene-silencing therapy Wainua failed a late-stage clinical trial. In the FTSE 250, EasyJet surged after private equity firm Apollo agreed to acquire the airline for £7.15 per share in a deal valued at about £5.7 billion, surpassing a competing offer from Castlelake. Investors also continued to monitor developments in the Middle East, although market volatility eased as the week drew to a close. Despite Friday's steadier performance, the FTSE 100 remained down about 1.8% for the week.