The FTSE 100 rose 0.3% on Friday, partially reversing the previous session’s 0.7% decline, as gains in AI-sensitive and defence stocks underpinned the index. RELX was the standout performer, jumping more than 9%, while London Stock Exchange Group advanced over 0.5% as investors reassessed the potential disruption from artificial intelligence.
Defence names also strengthened after Western allies pledged up to $35 billion in military aid to Ukraine, lifting BAE Systems by 2% and Rolls-Royce by 3.5%. Among other notable risers, AstraZeneca gained more than 1%, and Unilever climbed around 1.5%.
On the downside, Entain dropped more than 4% following weaker guidance from US peer DraftKings. Banks also underperformed: NatWest fell more than 3% despite reporting strong results and announcing a £750 million share buyback, while Barclays, HSBC Holdings and Lloyds Banking Group each declined by around 2%.
Over the week as a whole, the FTSE 100 added 0.6%.
