FTSE 100 Live: Index Opened 27 Points Higher at 10,722 Amid Rise in Oil Prices

The FTSE 100 opened 27.61 points higher at 10,722.86 as oil prices rose after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal for a seven-day truce that could have seen the Strait of Hormuz reopen. Brent crude futures rose 2.48% to USD 106.9 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 2.09% to USD 94.34 per barrel. 

Sterling was at USD 1.3247 early Monday, above USD 1.3238 at the London equities close on Friday. Against the euro, sterling rose to EUR 1.1627 from EUR 1.1616 a day prior.

Gainers & Losers

On the upside, Barratt Redrow surged 14.01% to 352.30p after the government said it would confirm a new equity-loan programme for first-time buyers in next month’s Budget.  

Howden Joinery Group advanced 5.27% to 799.00p, while Kingfisher gained 4.54% to 343.30p. JD Sports Fashion rose 2.17% to 79.18p, Games Workshop Group added 1.94% to 17,910p, and Marks & Spencer Group increased 1.68% to 380.80p.

On the downside, Fresnillo fell 5.29% to 2,737p, while Endeavour Mining declined 4.77% to 4,309p. Antofagasta dropped 3.78% to 3,589p, Anglo American slipped 3.34% to 3,907p, and Rio Tinto lost 2.22% to 6,931p. Computacenter also traded lower, falling 1.20% to 5,345p.

Aldi to Invest GBP 900 Million for New Stores

Aldi is set to invest GBP 900 million in opening new stores next year. The UK’s fourth-biggest supermarket said it is seeing record sales growth because of its focus on low prices amid concerns that the cost of food could surge in coming months. 

Aldi grew its turnover by 5% to a record GBP 19 billion in 2025, driven by its GBP 340 million investment in cutting prices across products like butter, meat and frozen fish. 

Chief executive Giles Hurley said, “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

Chrysalis sold its stake in buy now, pay later firm Klarna after a stock plunge over the last year. The investment trust said on Monday it had offloaded its remaining holdings in the Swedish company for GBP 34 million. 

The exit attracted a higher price than Chrysalis had recently valued the holdings, it said, reversing some drawdowns it took on Klarna earlier this year. 

The group said it would hand GBP 25 million from the sale back to shareholders as part of a buyback program. Around GBP 9 million is set to be maintained by Chrysalis to provide a ‘prudent operating capital buffer’ and flexibility for potential follow-on investments. 

Entain Predicts Earnings to Decline

Entain said its global earnings will suffer from Brazil’s newly announced ban on online sports betting. The company said the ban means its full-year earnings will be on the lower end of its GBP 910 million-to-GBP 960 million guidance. 

The group told shareholders, “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

In US, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 180 points, or 0.4%. S&P 500 futures lost 0.4%. Nasdaq-100 futures were 0.7% lower.

In Asia on Monday, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 fell 0.73% to 65,877.62, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 1.67%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.61%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged down by 2.7%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 1.34% and 1.38%, respectively.