UK's FTSE 100 posts biggest gain in almost a year
And finally…. Britain’s stock market has posted its biggest one-day gain in almost a year.
The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip shares has closed 188 points higher tonight at 10,364 points, a gain of 1.85%.
Engineering firms Babcock (+9.5%) and Rolls-Royce (+6.6%) ended the day among the top risers, along with catering firm Compass (+7.4%). Banks and airlines also rallied, while oil producers fell as crude prices weakened.
That’s the FTSE 100’s best day since 14 April 2025, when the markets were rallying as Donald Trump retreated on parts of his trade war with China.
Today’s rally was driven by rising optimism that president Trump might signal an end to the Iran war when he addresses the US public tonight (9pm ET, or 2am BST).
Last night, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office “We will be leaving very soon.”
This has led to strong gains across Europe too; Germany’s DAX was up 2.7% in late trading, France’s CAC gained more than 2% and Italy’s FTSE Mib jumped 3.1%.
Oil remains lower too, with Brent crude trading at $102 a barrel, having yesterday been as high as $118 a barrel.
WIth European markets closed, that wraps up a day in which
Ryanair warned that jet fuel supply to Europe could be disrupted from May if the Middle East conflict continues.
UK manufacturers reporting the biggest jump in cost inflation since Black Wednesday in 1992
Our Middle East crisis liveblog is covering all the main developments:
Updated
Iran denies asking for ceasefiire
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said US president Donald Trump’s statement on Iran requesting a ceasefire was false and baseless, Iranian state TV is reporting (via Reuters).
Updated
