FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Up for 8th Session

The FTSE 100 inched higher on Wednesday, notching an eighth consecutive session of gains as optimism over progress toward ending the Iran war weighed on oil prices and lifted risk appetite. Defence stocks advanced ahead of the signing of a new UK–Poland defence and security treaty, part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push to deepen European cooperation. Rolls-Royce and Babcock each rose about 2.5%, while other blue-chip names also gained ground, including HSBC (+1.3%), Unilever (+2.3%) and GSK (+0.8%).

Energy majors underperformed, with Shell down 2.2% and BP off 2.8% as crude prices retreated on renewed optimism over US–Iran negotiations. In corporate news, Hollywood Bowl reported higher spending per game in both the UK and Canada and announced a £5 million share buyback. Pets at Home said its retail sales returned to growth in the fourth quarter. Amazon, meanwhile, disclosed that it invested more than £15 billion in the UK in 2025 as part of its broader expansion plans running through 2027.