31.07.202608:20:51UTC+00FTSE 100 Posts Best Month Since February

The FTSE 100 rose more than 0.5% on Friday to a new record high just below 10,970, setting the index on course for a weekly gain of about 2.2% and a monthly advance of roughly 4.5%—its strongest showing since February. Investors continued to watch the impact of weaker oil prices and renewed volatility in semiconductor stocks. NatWest jumped nearly 4% after lifting its full-year guidance and unveiling plans for a share buyback alongside its 2026 annual results. J Sainsbury added more than 3% after agreeing to sell its Argos business to Swift Partners for at least £120 million. On the downside, Pearson fell nearly 4% despite reaffirming its outlook, while IG Group slid more than 5% after announcing a deal worth up to $1.3 billion to acquire US sports prediction platform Underdog. IAG lost around 1.6% after missing revenue estimates and warning of higher fuel costs and extended suspensions on Middle East routes.