The FTSE 100 rose 0.2% in early Friday trading, supported by broader strength across European markets. The pan-European Stoxx 600 also gained 0.2%, while Germany’s DAX advanced 0.5%.
Among individual movers in London, Rolls-Royce climbed 2% and JD Sports added 2.2%.
The biggest FTSE 100 risers in the early session included Melrose, up 3.3%, followed by Anglo American at 2.9% and Antofagasta at 2.6%.
BP was the biggest laggard, down 2.3%, alongside Rentokil at 1.2% lower and Beazley, also off 1.2%.
Ocado shares surged, currently up over 8%, after the company said it will receive $350 million in compensation from U.S. partner Kroger.
The payment follows Kroger’s decision to scale back its plans for robotic fulfilment warehouses, a shift that will reduce Ocado’s fee revenues by around $50 million (£38 million) in the current financial year.
In corporate news, Unilever announced that the demerger of its ice-cream division, The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (TMICC), will be completed on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Shares in the newly formed company are set to begin trading on Monday, December 8, 2025, with listings on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
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