Investing.com — British stocks opened higher as AI-driven fears that weighed on software shares the previous session eased, while gains in oil stocks and earnings-related boosts from and takeover-bound lifted the index.
Oil stocks led gains on the FTSE 100, with and rising alongside higher crude prices driven by escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, giving the UK benchmark its biggest boost.
As of 0934 GMT, the blue-chip index rose 0.6% and the British GBP/USD gained 0.1% against the dollar to 1.3710. in Germany fell 0.5%, the in France rose 0.4%.
UK round up
Beazley PLC (LON:BEZG) shares surged 8.5% on Wednesday after the specialty insurer received a takeover offer from Zurich Insurance Group valuing the company at approximately £8 billion.
Zurich made a sixth offer of 1,335 pence per share, consisting of 1,310 pence in cash plus permitted dividends of up to 25 pence for the year ended December 31, 2025. This represents a 4.2% increase from Zurich’s previous proposal.
In other market news, GSK plc (LON:GSK) projected slower sales growth for 2026, forecasting revenue to rise between 3% and 5% on a constant-currency basis, compared with a 7% increase in 2025. The pharmaceutical company expects core earnings per share to grow 7% to 9% in 2026, while vaccine sales may range from a low single-digit percentage decline to “stable.” Shares rose above 1% after the result announcement.
Watches Of Switzerland Group PLC (LON:WOSG) reported strong sales growth in both US and UK markets during its third quarter of fiscal year 2026, which included the Holiday trading period. The luxury watch retailer noted that demand for its key luxury brands continues to exceed supply in both markets.
DCC plc (LON:DCC) reported robust operating profit growth in its fiscal third quarter, driven by organic expansion and the first-time contribution from Austrian acquisition FLAGA. The London-listed conglomerate maintained its full-year outlook for good operating profit growth.
British energy company SSE PLC (LON:SSE) said it expects 2025/26 adjusted earnings per share to be between 144-152 pence, with the midpoint of 148 pence falling approximately 2% below analyst consensus expectations. The company attributed this to mixed weather conditions affecting its renewable energy operations despite overall strong operational performance.