The FTSE 100 rose 0.5% on Monday to reach a four-month high, extending last week’s 1.6% advance. Industrial and aerospace names led the gains, with RELX up 2.3%, BAE Systems adding 2%, and submarine contractor Babcock climbing 1.9%. Support from heavyweight constituents also underpinned the index, as GSK advanced 1.6%, British Airways owner IAG gained 2%, and Unilever edged 0.8% higher.
By contrast, precious metals miners lagged: Fresnillo slipped 0.9% and Endeavour eased 0.4%, while Associated British Foods fell 0.7%.
Corporate dealmaking was the dominant driver of market sentiment. ITV said it would sell its media and entertainment division to Sky for up to £1.6 billion. In the FTSE 250, EasyJet shares jumped more than 10% after the airline agreed in principle to a fifth takeover approach from US investment firm Castlelake. Ocado also gained attention after confirming that chief executive Tim Steiner will stay in the role until at least early 2028.
