FTSE 100 Live: Index Rises 0.7% to 10,198 as Mining, Retail Stocks Lead Gains Amid Oil Volatility

The FTSE 100 opened positively, climbing 70.32 points or 0.7% to 10,198.28. Strength in mining, retail, and financial stocks helped offset ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and high crude oil prices. Despite remaining over 6% below its peak in February 2026, the index continues to outperform global peers, staying over 2% higher year-to-date.

Mining, Retail, and Financials Support the Index

Antofagasta surged 3.01% to £3,256, benefiting from firm metal prices and sustained demand expectations. 

Barratt Redrow advanced 2.76% to £264, reflecting improving sentiment in the UK housing market after data showed annual house price growth rising to 2.2% in March.

Also, JD Sports climbed 2.61% to £69.88, while Tesco gained 2.23% to £476.60, supported by defensive buying amid macro uncertainty. 

London Stock Exchange Group also rose 2.44% to £8,812, while Endeavour Mining added 2.34% to £4,378.

Select Stocks Under Pressure Despite Broader Gains

On the downside, Shell slipped 0.17% to £3,547.50 despite a slight ease in crude oil at $113 per barrel. BP also edged lower by 0.17% to £601.

Airtel Africa declined 0.63% to £345.60, while Polar Capital Technology Trust dropped 0.32% to £475. 

Also, Beazley declined 0.16% to £1,267.

Corporate and Economic Developments Shape Sentiment

Unilever stated that a deal to merge its Knorr-to-Hellmann’s foods business with McCormick & Company may be completed as soon as today. 

If the transaction goes according to plan, an upfront cash of $15.7 billion will be included in the deal.

After the deal is completed, Unilever and its shareholders are expected to hold 65% of the stakes in the merged company.

Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group remained in focus as the Financial Conduct Authority revised motor finance compensation estimates to £7.5 billion, lower than earlier projections, impacting sentiment across financial stocks.

On the macro front, UK GDP growth for 2025 was revised slightly higher to 1.4%, though economists warn that rising energy prices could weaken growth outlooks. 

Real household disposable income rose 1.2%, but concerns remain about inflation pressure from elevated oil prices.

Raspberry Pi’s Profit Increased

Raspberry Pi’s pre-tax profit rose 63% to $26.5 million, as revenue grew 25% to $323.2 million. The firm is also expecting higher revenue for 2026, which is set to drive up the year’s profit. 

The group shipped 7.6 million units over the past year, up 9%, with demand growing across the US and China. 

Cash fell to $28.1 million from $45.8 million after the company paid down supplier balances built up during earlier supply chain disruption. 

Also Read: Stock Market Today: Sensex Slides 1,600 Points, Market Ends FY26 on Weak Note

Global Market View

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%, but the S&P 500 index fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq lost 0.7%.

In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi led losses, falling 3.9%, trading at 5,070.6 points. The index is down 12.4% in the last month alone. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.9% to 51,417.3 points.