UK Economy 12 February 2026 - 11 March 2026

The FTSE 100 dropped 58.47 points, or 0.56%, to 10,353.77 on Wednesday, reversing part of Tuesday’s rally. Brent crude climbed 4.38% to $91.65 as traders doubted the IEA reserve release would offset supply risks. Legal & General fell after missing earnings targets, while Balfour Beatty gained on improved 2026 profit guidance.

Britain’s FTSE 100 jumped 1.6% to 10,412.24 on Tuesday after oil prices fell as President Trump signaled a possible end to the Middle East war. Energy shares dropped, with BP down 2.9% and Shell off 1.7%. Persimmon led gainers after a strong outlook. Analysts expect the Bank of England to hold rates steady at its March 19 meeting.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.8% to 10,567.65, recovering some ground after steep losses driven by Middle East conflict and energy price spikes. Vistry plunged 25.6% on a 2026 margin warning, dragging UK homebuilders lower. Brent crude slipped 0.3% to $81.13. Markets remain sensitive to energy supply risks and upcoming Bank of England policy.

The FTSE 100 closed up 59.85 points at 10,686.89 on Friday, topping its previous record, after strong UK retail sales and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended Trump-era tariffs. January retail sales volumes jumped 1.8% from December, the biggest monthly rise since May 2024. The pound hovered near a one-month low, while UK business activity edged higher but private-sector jobs fell for a 17th month.

Cranswick shares fell 0.2% to 5,380 pence Monday, underperforming a stronger FTSE 250. No new company updates since early February left the stock moving with broader market sentiment. Investors are watching UK inflation and retail sales data this week ahead of Cranswick’s May 19 results.

Associated British Foods shares fell 1.3% to 1,941 pence by 12:50 GMT Monday, underperforming a rising FTSE 100. Investors focused on upcoming UK inflation data due Feb. 18 and retail sales on Feb. 20. Primark’s weak trading in continental Europe continues to weigh on sentiment ahead of ABF’s April results. No fresh company news was reported Monday.

United Utilities shares edged up 0.04% to 1,363.5p in early London trading Monday, with no new company statements issued. Investors focused on upcoming UK inflation and retail sales data, which could influence Bank of England rate expectations and demand for defensive stocks. Severn Trent and Pennon moved in mixed directions. The FTSE 100 rose 0.41% by mid-morning.

IMI shares rose 0.3% to 2,838p in mid-morning London trading Monday. The company is set to report full-year 2025 results on March 6. UK inflation data is due Feb. 18, with retail sales figures following Feb. 20, both seen as key for interest rate expectations.

Halma shares rose 0.2% to 3,680p by 0943 GMT, after closing Wednesday at 3,672p. The move followed UK GDP data showing just 0.1% growth in Q4 2025, missing forecasts. Halma’s next trading update is due March 12, with full-year results set for June 11. Turnover Thursday was about 30,000 shares, down from 1.47 million on Wednesday.

National Grid shares fell 0.5% to 1,322.5 pence Thursday, after hitting a 52-week high the previous day. UK GDP rose just 0.1% in Q4 2025, missing forecasts and keeping rate expectations in focus. Two-year gilt yields held at 3.62%. Traders await UK inflation data on Feb. 18 and National Grid’s full-year results in May.