FTSE 100 Rises to 5-Month High

The FTSE 100 Index gained 95 points or 0.88 percent on Tuesday to close at 10876 points. Gains were led by Unilever (8.45%), Croda International (7.45%) and Experian (6.12%). Biggest losers were Barclays (-5.63%), Lion Finance Group (-3.57%) and Games Workshop Group (-2.62%).

The FTSE 100 advanced 0.9% on Monday, rising above 10,800 to its highest level since the record close on February 27, supported by strong performances from consumer goods and healthcare stocks. Unilever shares surged more than 8% after the company reported better-than-expected results, driven by solid growth in the US and emerging markets, and raised its 2026 outlook. GSK also gained around 4% after delivering an earnings beat, announcing cost-cutting measures and plans to reinvest savings into drug research, while maintaining that operating profit growth should reach the upper end of its guidance. In contrast, Barclays shares dropped nearly 6% despite reporting strong second-quarter investment banking results, upgrading its annual income target, and announcing a £1 billion share buyback. Investors compared the performance unfavourably with stronger results from US banks. Meanwhile, oil majors Shell and BP declined more than 1% each as crude prices continued to weaken.

The FTSE 100 traded modestly higher on Tuesday, with strong gains in consumer stocks offsetting weakness in banks and energy shares. Unilever surged more than 6% after the consumer goods group reported better-than-expected results, driven by robust performance in the US and emerging markets, while also raising its outlook for 2026. Barclays was among the biggest laggards, falling more than 5% despite reporting a 16% increase in second-quarter group income. The lender benefited from strong investment banking and US consumer operations amid heightened market volatility, but the results prompted profit-taking and weighed on the broader banking sector. Energy stocks also remained under pressure as oil prices extended recent losses. Shell slipped 0.8% and BP eased 0.4% after US President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of reaching an agreement with Iran, raising expectations of easing geopolitical tensions and reducing concerns over potential disruptions to global crude supplies.