FTSE 100 Slightly Higher as Entain and Halma Shares Gain

The FTSE 100 has edged 0.2% higher on Thursday morning after closing 0.5% lower in the previous session. The FTSE 250 has gained 0.5%, while the DAX is flat and the CAC 40 has risen 0.3%.

Despite rebounding from its March lows, the FTSE 100 has remained subdued in recent sessions as it attempts to regain momentum toward fresh highs.

Top gainers so far this morning include Entain, up 5.7%, Halma, which has climbed 3.2%, and Tesco, trading 2.8% higher.

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Tesco reported full-year results showing a 4.6% increase in sales, excluding VAT and fuel, to £66.588 billion. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 6.0% to 29.0p. The retailer flagged ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and issued guidance for adjusted operating profit in the range of £3.0 billion to £3.3 billion for the coming year.

Entain also advanced after a first-quarter update, with CEO Stella David stating: “We entered 2026 with strong momentum which has continued in Q1, with strong volume growth across our diversified portfolio.” The company reiterated its full-year outlook, expecting online net gaming revenue growth of 5–7%.

On the downside, Airtel Africa fell 2.4%, Vodafone declined 1.9%, and ConvaTec dropped 1.7%.

Economic data showed the UK economy grew 0.5% in February, exceeding expectations and highlighting stronger momentum before the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.