FTSE 100 Rises to 7-Week High

2026-10-15 15:41 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

The FTSE 100 climbed 1% to 10,840 on Thursday, its highest level since August 26, as defensive stocks helped London outperform global markets unsettled by concerns over the artificial intelligence sector.

Better-than-expected UK economic data also supported sentiment, with GDP expanding 0.1% in August after a 0.4% increase in July, defying forecasts of a contraction.

The index’s limited exposure to technology shares provided an additional advantage.

Pharmaceutical stocks led the advance, with AstraZeneca gaining more than 3% amid a collaboration with biotech startup Insitro to develop treatments for liver and heart diseases.

GSK rose nearly 3%, while Unilever added over 1.5% and British American Tobacco advanced more than 2%.

Mining shares moved in the opposite direction, with Antofagasta falling 3.8% after missing third-quarter copper production estimates and cutting its 2027 outlook, while Rio Tinto lost 1.7% and Anglo American also declined.



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