London’s FTSE 100 confidently opened the week, advancing 0.3%, or 28.30 points, to 9,124.03, supported by gains in Diageo, Marks & Spencer, and AstraZeneca, each moving up by 1%. The uplift helped offset losses in some industrial and defence names. Let’s take a look at the FTSE 100 live today updates.
Electric vehicle giant Tesla has taken steps to enter Britain’s energy supply sector, applying to Ofgem for a license that would allow it to sell electricity to homes and businesses in England, Scotland, and Wales. If approved, operations could begin as soon as 2026.
The application, signed by Andrew Payne, Tesla’s European energy director, follows the company’s earlier UK electricity generation license granted in 2020. It reflects Tesla's energy supply activities in Texas and aligns its energy products with its growing solar and battery storage operations. Tesla has turned to auxiliary sources of revenue as EU EV demand has softened.
Despite the jump in FTSE 100 prices, some blue-chip names struggled. Melrose Industries slipped to £581.6, BAE Systems fell £26.5 to £1,711, Rolls-Royce eased to £1,060, and Shell dropped £16 to £2,637.
The FTSE 250 was little changed at 21,962.75, with Marshalls and Plus500 both down around 4% after releasing half-year results.
Fabergé Sold: Gemfields has sold the luxury brand Fabergé to US investment firm SMG Capital for $50 million (£37.1 million). New owner Sergei Mosunov pledged to preserve the brand’s prestige while expanding its reach in jewelry, accessories, and timepieces. Gemfields said the sale streamlines operations and strengthens its balance sheet.
Oxford Nanopore CEO to Step Down: Co-founder Gordon Sanghera will leave his role as chief executive by the end of next year after leading the FTSE 250 biotech since 2005. The company, now valued at £2 billion, has seen its share price double since April but remains below its 2021 IPO level.
GSK Drug Advances: GSK shares rose 1% to £1,411.45 after the FDA granted priority review to gepotidacin, an oral antibiotic for gonorrhea, with a decision expected by December 2025.
Sorrell’s S4 Capital in Merger Talks: Advertising group S4 Capital, founded by Sir Martin Sorrell, confirmed preliminary merger discussions with MSQ Partners. Reports also suggest interest from US private equity firm New Mountain Capital.
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Investor sentiment was supported by Chinese inflation data for July, which showed no month-on-month decline, beating forecasts. Brent crude traded at $66.28 a barrel, while sterling held at $1.3467.
With corporate activity and global data both offering positive signals, the FTSE 100 began the week on solid ground, though traders remain cautious amid a packed economic calendar.