The FTSE 100 was up 0.4% on Wednesday morning, while the FTSE 250 was flat. In commodities, spot gold rose 2.6% to $4,043, with other metals also climbing, resulting in mining stocks leading the large-cap index.
Fresnillo (LON: FRES) is up 4.02%, Endeavour Mining (LON: EDV) has gained 3.60% and Anglo American has climbed 2.56% so far this morning.
On the continent, the DAX has increased 0.4%, the CAC 40 has risen 0.5% and the Stoxx 50 has advanced 0.8%. The GBP rose 0.5% to $1.3480 against the US dollar.
Lion Finance Group (LON: BGEO) has gained 4.79% as it reported third-quarter profit up 21.0% to GEL 661.9m, with a further GEL 62m buyback.
Weir (LON: WEIR), the mining equipment maker, fell 6.77% despite keeping 2026 guidance. Its update showed orders up 8%, but some larger Minerals projects slipped into the fourth quarter and the Middle East conflict hit phosphate and dredging customers.
Metro Bank rose 7.47% as it reaffirmed all guidance. Trainline (LON: TRN) fell 4.69% on the day of half-year results, with revenue down 1% to £233m, though adjusted EBITDA rose 7% to £100m and guidance was maintained.
| Company | Price | Change | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion Finance Group (LON: BGEO) | 12,725p | +4.79% | Q3 profit up 21.0% |
| Fresnillo (LON: FRES) | 2,376p | +4.02% | Metals higher |
| Endeavour Mining (LON: EDV) | 3,686.5p | +3.60% | Metals higher |
| Weir (LON: WEIR) | 2,450p | -6.77% | Q3 update; guidance kept |
| BAE Systems (LON: BA.) | 1,967.75p | -5.20% | – |
| Babcock (LON: BAB) | 1,014.25p | -3.20% | – |
In the FTSE 250, Ceres Power rose 7.84%, Princes Group 4.65%, QinetiQ fell 4.37% and Goodwin 3.29%.
Elsewhere, Marks & Spencer reported its half-year results, Smith & Nephew posted its quarterly update, and Barratt Redrow also provided a trading update.
Backdrop: US midterms and Iran
Democrats have won both the US House and Senate. President Donald Trump said the Iran war and fuel prices played a part in Republican losses.
Tehran called the US reply to its seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz “unconvincing”. Brent is flat at $103.59 and WTI at $96.05.
AskTraders Stocks to Watch Today
These picks are AI-generated. This is not investment advice
Three stocks stand out based on Tuesday’s closing prices.
Drax (LSE: DRX) rose 6.61% to 862.5p, its largest daily gain in six months, on volume about 3.25 times average. The jump is attributed to the data centre partnership with Brookfield and Radiant at Drax Power Station. Watch whether the gain holds.
Prudential (LSE: PRU) rose 1.18% to 944.2p, its seventh straight gain. It is still 21.1% below its 52-week high and down 15.9% this year, so this looks like a recovery from a low base.
Elementis (LSE: ELM) closed at 191p, up 0.53%, after touching a new 52-week high of 196.09p during the session. Volume was light. Watch for a close above 195.4p.