FTSE 100 Rises as Healthcare and Defence Bolster Gains

The FTSE 100 index saw an uptick, driven by healthcare and defence stocks, bouncing back from a four-day downturn. BAE Systems rose due to a NASA contract, while GSK and AstraZeneca led healthcare gains. Meanwhile, UK's National Grid announced a major sale, and B&M issued a profit warning.

The FTSE 100 index gained ground at the start of the week, ending its recent four-day losing streak. Major contributors to this rise were healthcare and defence stocks, pushing the index up by 0.2% by 1052 GMT.

Aerospace and defence registered a 1.3% increase, with BAE Systems soaring 2.5% following a significant contract award from NASA. Leading the healthcare gains were GSK and AstraZeneca, rising by 1%, as industrial metal miners saw a decline amid falling copper and iron ore prices.

Elsewhere, the midcap FTSE 250 index remained stable, albeit at a two-week low. National Grid's shares climbed 1.6% after reaching a $1.74 billion deal to sell its U.S. onshore renewables business. Meanwhile, B&M shares dropped 9.3% post-profit warning, and CEO Alex Russo's retirement announcement.