FTSE 100 Today: UK stocks started the day higher on Friday, October 2, as the FTSE 100 index had posted a steep fall on the prior trading day. Lower oil prices and bond yields supported the positive market mood amid focus on US jobs numbers for new hints regarding interest rate expectations. The FTSE 100 rose 0.28% to 10,455.34 as of 10:07 GMT. The FTSE 250 rose 0.52% to 24,267.39. Although the FTSE 100 has risen today, the index is still set to register its biggest weekly fall since April.
FTSE 100 Today: Why Is UK Stock Market Up?
However, the gain was triggered by the previous session’s sell-off on the FTSE 100. The FTSE 100 Index ended its trading at 10,428.27 on October 1, falling 177.73 points or 1.68%. On Friday, the index started trading near 10,428. The rally was backed by reduced tensions in the global bond market as well as falling oil prices. The previous day’s increase in the bond yield had triggered worries over inflation and interest rates.
FTSE 100 Today: Top Gainers and Share Prices
A number of FTSE 100 stocks showed impressive gains in the first part of the day on Friday. The BT Group showed impressive gains and was up 4% at 198.50 pence. This was due to the news that there is going to be a bid for TalkTalk. Some other FTSE 100 stocks which gained were:
- Airtel Africa: +3.4% at 314.80p
- Antofagasta: +3.1% at 3,803.00p
- Halma: +2.5% at 3,551.00p
- Compass Group: +2.3% at 29.85p
FTSE 100 Today: Top Losers and Share Prices
IG Group was the largest loser on the FTSE 100, with its stock falling by 21% to 1,008p. This large drop came amid a reduction of the company’s expectations for revenue growth in 2026 to the mid-single digits range, from 10%-15% that had been forecasted before. IG Group stated that the third-quarter revenue was expected to be around £240 million, showing a 14% decrease year-on-year. Other FTSE 100 stocks among the largest losers were:
- Ithaca Energy: -1.6% at 271.70p
- London Stock Exchange Group: -1.1% at 8,035p
- ICG: -1.1% at 1,775p
- BP: -0.7% at 553.50p
FTSE 250 Today: Top Gainers and Losers
In addition, the FTSE 250 index rose by 0.52% and closed at 24,267.39. In the case of FTSE 250 stocks, JD Wetherspoon made the highest gain of 7.4% to 873.25p. Some other top gainers were Seraphim Space Investment Trust, which gained 5.2% to 205.50p; Volex, which gained 4.3% to 685p; Goodwin, which gained 4% to 14,040p; and SSP Group, which gained 3.3% to 194.55p. Some of the losers include Plus500, which fell by 8% to 3,143p, and CMC Markets, which fell by 6.4% to 616p.
FTSE 100 Today: Oil Prices and Bond Yields in Focus
Oil prices fell on Friday, thus alleviating some of the fears about inflation that were affecting the markets earlier in the week. According to Reuters, easing oil prices and bond yields aided the rally in the London stock market. The developments regarding UK government bonds yields are still significant for stocks, since rising costs of borrowing could hurt company valuations. One of the reasons behind the market selloff on Thursday was the rise in gilt yields.
FTSE 100 Today: US Jobs Data in Focus
Investors are also keeping an eye on the US jobs report, which could affect expectations about the future interest rate policy of the Federal Reserve. This information is particularly significant for world markets, as it could impact US interest rate expectations, which could then influence bond yields, currencies, and stock markets like the FTSE 100.
FTSE 100 Today: Key Stocks and Market Factors to Watch
The major stocks that will be in focus on Friday will be BT Group, Airtel Africa, Antofagasta, Halma, Compass Group, and IG Group. Stock prices of some companies are driven by individual events happening to them. Market-wise, traders will be keeping an eye on oil prices, UK gilts yield, US employment numbers, and interest rates expectations.
The increase in FTSE 100 at the beginning of the trading day is a reaction to the sharp drop seen the previous day and means the rebound from losses, although it is on track for a big drop on a weekly basis. Market conditions may change within the trading session depending on newly released economic reports and company news.
