The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.93% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index gained 99 points or 0.93 percent on Friday to close at 10738 points. Gains were led by Relx (4.94%), The Sage Group (4.44%) and Experian (4.03%). Biggest losers were Airtel Africa (-3.30%), Vodafone (-1.59%) and BP (-1.36%).

The FTSE 100 climbed 0.9% on Friday, with broad-based gains across most sectors offsetting weakness in energy stocks. RELX was among the top performers, advancing around 5%, while Rolls-Royce gained more than 3%. London Stock Exchange Group and British American Tobacco also rose over 2%. Reckitt Benckiser also moved higher after announcing the sale of its Russian hygiene business to Arnest Management, a transaction expected to result in a post-tax loss of about £175 million. In contrast, Shell and BP each fell more than 1% as oil prices retreated following reports that Pakistan, backed by China, was seeking to revive US-Iran peace talks, easing concerns over supply disruptions. On the macroeconomic front, UK retail sales unexpectedly rose 1% in June, beating forecasts for a 0.3% decline. Meanwhile, the latest S&P Global PMI survey showed UK business activity returned to expansion and exceeded market expectations. The FTSE 100 ended the week with a gain of around 1.3%.

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Friday, with gains in financial stocks offsetting weakness across the energy, mining, healthcare and consumer sectors. HSBC and Lloyds Banking rose more than 1%, while Barclays, NatWest and Standard Chartered also advanced. Antofagasta traded modestly higher after resuming operations at its Los Pelambres copper mine following a weather-related disruption. Reckitt Benckiser also posted small gains after announcing the sale of its Russian hygiene business to Arnest Management, a deal expected to result in a post-tax loss of about £175 million. Meanwhile, Shell and BP came under pressure as oil prices eased after their recent rally. On the economic front, UK retail sales surprised to the upside, rising 1% in June against expectations of a 0.3% decline. Meanwhile, the S&P Global PMI indicated UK business activity returned to growth, exceeding forecasts. The FTSE 100 remained on track for a weekly gain of around 0.7%.