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Daily market update

UK market update: FTSE 100 higher at midday as Rio Tinto slides

The FTSE 100 was trading higher at midday on Thursday, helped by gains in AstraZeneca, while the FTSE 250 slipped and Rio Tinto was the notable faller.

15 Oct 2026, 12:151 min readby the LedgerPoint team

Indices

  • FTSE 100: was trading at 10,783.33, up 0.54% on the previous close.
  • FTSE 250: was trading at 24,316.91, down 0.18%.
  • Sterling vs the dollar: £1 bought $1.3260, up 0.02%.
  • Sterling vs the euro: £1 bought €1.1815, down 0.17%.

The blue-chip index was firmer at lunchtime. The more domestically focused FTSE 250 lagged slightly. Sterling was little changed against the dollar but a touch weaker against the euro.

Stock movers

Risers

  • AstraZeneca: up 2.11% at 12,560p, the strongest gain among the shares we track.
  • Lloyds Banking Group: up 1.22% at 106.03p.
  • Unilever: up 1.21% at 4,887.56p.
  • GSK: up 1.05% at 1,835.14p.
  • Barclays: up 0.43% at 433.65p.

Fallers

  • Rio Tinto: down 3.99% at 6,647p, the biggest decline on our list.
  • Rolls-Royce: down 0.71% at 1,351.80p.
  • BP: down 0.39% at 611.81p.

Little changed: Shell was up 0.04% at 3,913p and HSBC was up 0.01% at 1,422.80p.

In the news

  • Headlines this morning report that UK economic growth figures for August came in stronger than expected. Reports say the data supported London shares despite a global sell-off in technology stocks.
  • Analysts quoted in one report say the August growth beat could open the door to higher interest rates. The same report notes the figures come as the government prepares its Budget.
  • A live markets report says mining shares remain under pressure. It also says the FTSE 250 is edging lower.
  • Separately, headlines report that copper miner Antofagasta's shares fell after a production update and softer-than-expected output guidance for 2027.

In summary, the FTSE 100 was modestly higher at midday, while the FTSE 250 was slightly lower and miners were weaker.

Figures are indicative and may be delayed. This is general information, not advice.

This content is general information, not personal financial advice. Tax rules, rates and allowances can change; check the latest position on gov.uk.