FTSE 100 Live: LSE and NatWest Lead Gainers, FTSE 100 Edges Lower as Traders Turn Cautious

The FTSE 100 opened slightly lower on Friday, October 24, 2025, losing 3 points to 9,575.63 as investors showed caution before the major US inflation data release later in the day. Despite a negative opening, several blue-chip companies extended their rally, with the main driver being the financial and retail sectors.

London Stock Exchange Group Tops Gainers

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) led the day’s winners, climbing 4.28% to £9,746, after the company announced the sale of a 20% stake in its Post Trade Solutions division to 11 global banks for £170 million, valuing the unit at £850 million.

NatWest Group also gained 3.52% to £564.80, following strong quarterly results earlier this week. The bank raised its full-year guidance on the back of higher lending activity and resilient customer demand.

Kingfisher rose 1.93% to £17.30 and RELX gained 1.57% to £3,499, while ConvaTec Group edged 1.14% higher, contributing to modest support for the broader index.

Miners and Defence Stocks Drag Lower

On the downside, Fresnillo dropped 2.37% to £2,138, extending its losses as gold prices retreated 1.6% to $4,058.43 per ounce, pressured by a strengthening US dollar.

BAE Systems fell 1.92% to £1,835.50, with investors locking in profits after the stock’s strong performance earlier in the month. 

Whitbread and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) also edged lower by 0.96% and 0.72%, respectively, reflecting mild sector rotation as defensive stocks gave way to cyclical plays.

Retail and Consumer Sentiment Lift Market Mood

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that sales in UK retail increased by 0.9% in the third quarter of 2025. The demand for clothes, accessories, and online shopping, which has been increasing for the past eight months, was the main reason for the 0.5% rise in retail volumes in September.

Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved in October as indicated by GfK's index, which went up by two points to -17. According to the report, consumers were more open to buying expensive items during the autumn sales, and the savings index also went up by seven points in anticipation of the festive season.

Also Read: Stock Market Update: Sensex, Nifty 50 Poised for Positive Start on Global Rally

Global Market Snapshot

Across global markets, sentiment remained mixed. In Europe, Germany’s DAX eased 0.1%, while France’s CAC 40 lost 0.3%. In the US, overnight gains saw the Nasdaq up 0.9%, the S&P 500 up 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.3%.

In Asia, the Nikkei 225 advanced 1.3%, the Hang Seng added 0.4%, and Shanghai’s SSE Composite gained 0.6%. The BSE Sensex traded 0.2% lower, while Australia’s ASX 200 also dipped 0.2% as traders booked profits.