The FTSE 100 began trading 27.61 points higher at 10,722.86, lifted by climbing oil prices following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of an Iranian proposal for a seven-day truce that could have reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures increased by 2.48% to reach USD 106.9 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 2.09% to USD 94.34 per barrel.
Early Monday morning, sterling traded at USD 1.3247, strengthening from Friday’s London equities close of USD 1.3238. Against the euro, the currency advanced to EUR 1.1627 compared to EUR 1.1616 the previous day.
Gainers & Losers
Leading the advance, Barratt Redrow shares jumped 14.01% to 352.30p after the government announced plans to confirm a new equity-loan initiative for first-time buyers during next month’s Budget.
Howden Joinery Group climbed 5.27% to 799.00p, Kingfisher gained 4.54% to 343.30p, JD Sports Fashion moved up 2.17% to 79.18p, Games Workshop Group ticked up 1.94% to 17,910p, and Marks & Spencer Group grew 1.68% to 380.80p.
Conversely, Fresnillo paced the decliners, dropping 5.29% to 2,737p. Endeavour Mining fell 4.77% to 4,309p, Antofagasta slipped 3.78% to 3,589p, Anglo American decreased 3.34% to 3,907p, and Rio Tinto lost 2.22% to 6,931p. Computacenter also finished in the red, down 1.20% to 5,345p.
Aldi to Invest GBP 900 Million for New Stores
Discount supermarket Aldi plans to inject GBP 900 million into opening new locations next year. The UK’s fourth-largest grocer reported record-breaking sales growth driven by its emphasis on low prices, addressing consumer worries over potential spikes in food costs over the coming months.
In 2025, Aldi boosted turnover by 5% to a record GBP 19 billion, supported by a GBP 340 million investment in price cuts across everyday items such as butter, meat, and frozen fish.
Chief executive Giles Hurley stated, “The cost of food remains one of the biggest pressures on households across the country. We’re working hard to make good food more affordable for every family.”
Chrysalis Sold Stake in Klarna
Investment trust Chrysalis sold off its entire remaining stake in buy now, pay later company Klarna for GBP 34 million on Monday, exiting the firm after a prolonged stock slump over the past year.
The company noted that the final exit price exceeded its most recent valuations of the holding, effectively reversing some of the writedowns taken on Klarna earlier in the year.
Out of the proceeds, Chrysalis will return GBP 25 million to shareholders via a buyback program. The remaining GBP 9 million will be retained to maintain a secure operating capital buffer and provide financial flexibility for prospective follow-on investments.
Entain Predicts Earnings to Decline
Entain announced that its global earnings will take a hit due to Brazil’s newly introduced ban on online sports betting. Consequently, the firm expects its full-year earnings to land at the lower boundary of its GBP 910 million to GBP 960 million guidance range.
In a statement to shareholders, the company remarked, “Entain is disappointed by this sudden development without consultation with industry stakeholders regarding its significant adverse consequences. However, Entain’s operations in Brazil are complying with the provisional measure.”
Also Read: Stock Market Update: Nifty 50 Opened 0.33% Lower, Sensex Declined 160.91 Points
Global Market View
Across the Atlantic, US stock futures pointed downward, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropping 180 points, or 0.4%. S&P 500 futures fell 0.4%, and Nasdaq-100 futures retreated 0.7%.
In Asian trading on Monday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.73% to 65,877.62, while China’s Shanghai Composite pulled back 1.67%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.61%, and South Korea’s Kospi slipped 2.7%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and Sensex finished lower by 1.34% and 1.38%, respectively.
