UK Market 15 February 2026 - 19 May 2026

FTSE 100 Barely Scrapes Higher as Bond Yields Spoil UK Jobs Relief
···

FTSE 100 Barely Scrapes Higher as Bond Yields Spoil UK Jobs Relief

Britain’s FTSE 100 edged up on Tuesday, giving back most of an early rally as rising government bond yields cut into relief from weaker UK jobs data. The blue-chip index, made up of the 100 most highly capitalised companies on the London Stock Exchange, closed at 10,330.55, up 6.80 points, or 0.07%. That mattered because the session turned on a hard trade-off for investors: a softer labour market may reduce pressure on the Bank of England to raise rates, but higher gilt yields — the return investors demand to hold UK government debt — can weigh on shares by making borrowing costlier and bonds more attractive. Reuters said the FTSE 100 had risen as much as 0.8% earlier before finishing
May 19, 2026
Barclays Shares Move After Buyback and Rule Changes
····

Barclays Shares Move After Buyback and Rule Changes

Barclays shares moved up early Tuesday in London, beating the FTSE 100 after the bank kicked off new buybacks and the UK relaxed some bank ring-fencing rules. Barclays traded 1.14% higher at 431.10p on the sell side in delayed quotes. The FTSE 100 was last up 0.73%. The London Stock Exchange was open as normal. Barclays is pulling down its share count with buybacks near the market, and right after, the UK government laid out tweaks to how major banks can shuffle capital and lending inside their own operations. Both dropped on the tape in quick order, and that’s why the move stands out now.
May 19, 2026
FTSE 100 heads for tough test with key UK inflation data ahead
·····

FTSE 100 heads for tough test with key UK inflation data ahead

FTSE 100 stumbles, UK stocks start week on back foot after Friday rout The FTSE 100 logged its steepest drop in more than eight weeks on Friday as bond prices fell, the pound weakened, and investors grew jittery about UK politics possibly leading to looser fiscal policy. Inflation concerns linger with oil prices staying high. London’s stock market was closed on Sunday. The London Stock Exchange opens for regular trade at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday. FTSE 100 closed at 10,195.37 on May 15, off 177.56 points, or 1.71%. The index is now down about 0.4% this week, pushing its weekly losing run to four. UK stocks are being squeezed between global-facing names
May 17, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Jumps as BoE Hold, Rolls-Royce and Glencore Drive London Rally
········

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Jumps as BoE Hold, Rolls-Royce and Glencore Drive London Rally

The FTSE 100 charged ahead Thursday, finishing up 165.71 points, pushed higher by fresh results out of Rolls-Royce, United Utilities, and Glencore. Investors shrugged off another choppy day for interest rates and oil. The more domestically focused FTSE 250 gained 264.28 points, settling at 22,465.15. The timing stood out: Bank of England decision day, and markets were already wrestling with how the Middle East energy spike might hit UK assets. The Monetary Policy Committee stuck with Bank Rate at 3.75%—an 8-1 split—signaling caution as inflation climbed to 3.3%. Another jump, they said, might be in the cards if energy prices keep rising.
April 30, 2026