London’s benchmarks opened firmer on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 up 0.3% and the FTSE 250 also 0.3% higher, tracking modest gains across Europe. The DAX added 0.1%, the CAC 40 rose 0.2% and the Stoxx 50 climbed 0.4%.
Spot gold has jumped 1% to $4,337/oz and silver has gained 1.6% to $64.69, both pushing higher following a recent pullback.
The moves have lifted gold and silver miners across the FTSE 100, with Antofagasta (+3.06%), Fresnillo (+2.91%), and Endeavour Mining (+2.61%) all rallying. Pan African Resources (+5.06% on the FTSE 250) is also up following its results for the year ended June 30.
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Oil has moved the other way, with Brent crude down 1.2% to $107.44 and WTI off 1.7% to $104.05, as markets continue to weigh the grinding US-Iran conflict. Iran’s top diplomat is reportedly heading to China today.
Housebuilders are also some of the biggest gainers so far, with Barratt Redrow surging 6.84% following its 52-week results for the period ended 28 June 2026, Persimmon up 2.96%, and Vistry 3.91% higher.
Meanwhile, Babcock International added 2.20%. after posting a trading update.
Kier Group leads the FTSE 250, up 6.75%, adding to Tuesday’s 3.9% climb after its latest earnings release.
On the economic front, ONS data confirmed UK CPI inflation rose to 3.1% in August, a five-month high and up from 2.9% in July, but the reading was in line with economists’ forecasts, driven largely by surging motor fuel costs and higher housing and communication prices, even as core inflation held steady at 2.6%.
Despite the in-line print, the squeeze on household budgets weighed on retail-facing stocks. Marks & Spencer has tumbled 4.15%, while JD Sports (-1.98%), Tesco (-1.69%) and Sainsbury’s (-1.60%) also slipped.
Moonpig (-6.21%) is down following its latest trading update, while Frasers Group (-3.51%) is also a big FTSE 250 faller. Elsewhere, WHSmith also updated the market today, with shares currently down around 0.9%.
