Source: Sharecast
Burberry surged to the top of the index after the luxury fashion brand said it swung to an interim profit of £19m from a loss of £48m in the same period a year earlier.
3i Group jumped after the private equity investor reported further growth at its largest portfolio company, Action, and announced a fresh £750m share buyback programme.
The group reported a total return of £1.62bn, or 5% of opening shareholders' funds, for the six months to 30 September, though this was down from £3.29bn, or 13%, a year earlier. The result included a £474m foreign exchange translation loss, compared with a £771m gain previously.
Nevertheless, net asset value per share increased to 3,154p from 3,030p at the end of March, after payment of its final FY2026 dividend. Discount retailer Action, the group's largest investment, continued to drive performance, generating a gross investment return of £1.34bn, equivalent to 6% of its opening valuation.
Land Securities gained ahead of first-half results on Friday.
United Utilities rose as it posted a surge in half-year earnings and reaffirmed guidance, after the water company increased bills. The firm, which provides water and wastewater services across the north west, saw reported revenues rise 11.7% to £1.46bn in the six months to September end, while operating profits were 12.9% higher at £633.8m.
On an underlying basis, pre-tax profits rose 5.3% to £411.9m, while revenues were 9.1% stronger at £1.41bn.
On the downside, precious metals miner Fresnillo lost its shine as gold prices fell.
BAE Systems was also weaker despite lifting its full-year guidance for free cash flow to around £3bn, from more than £2bn.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,164.50p 6.50%
3i Group (III) 2,672.00p 4.48%
Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 334.70p 2.82%
BT Group (BT.A) 218.50p 2.44%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 698.00p 2.42%
Next (NXT) 16,075.00p 1.84%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 2,941.00p 1.76%
Rentokil Initial (RTO) 357.10p 1.74%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,566.00p 1.69%
National Grid (NG.) 1,268.50p 1.68%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
ICG (ICG) 1,881.00p -3.68%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 4,170.00p -3.65%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,002.00p -3.61%
Fresnillo (FRES) 2,448.00p -3.06%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 3,209.00p -3.05%
BAE Systems (BA.) 1,874.50p -2.11%
Anglo American (AAL) 3,822.00p -2.07%
Spirax Group (SPX) 7,510.00p -1.44%
Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,491.50p -1.39%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 452.60p -1.13%