Standard Chartered posted a rise of 2.37% to £1,597 as banking and financial names benefited from improved risk appetite. Barclays also strengthened with a 1.59 % gain to £398.45, while Pershing Square Holdings advanced 1.58% to £4,762.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust rose 1.41% to 1,043 in response to a rebound in technology-linked assets. Anglo American recorded a 1.40% uptick to £2,748 after BHP confirmed it had stepped away from a potential merger, removing uncertainty.
Polar Capital Technology Trust gained 1.39% to £439 as tech-linked stocks recovered globally.
On the other hand, Games Workshop slipped 0.32% to £18,710, Admiral Group eased 0.57% to £3,134 and National Grid fell 1.54% to £1,121 as investors rotated away from defensive sectors. Shell’s share price dropped 0.56% following a soft start in energy markets.
BAE Systems weakened 0.85% to£1,698.50 despite ongoing geopolitical demand, and Severn Trent edged 0.36% lower to £2,762 amid interest-rate-sensitive moves in utility stocks.
