FTSE 100 Edges Higher; PETS Appoints New CEO, Metlen Energy & Metals Shares Rise

The FTSE 100 edged up 0.1% on Tuesday, supported by selective corporate gains, while broader European markets delivered a mixed performance.

Germany’s DAX was flat, France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.2% and the STOXX 600 rose 0.2%.

Pets at Home advanced 1.3% after the retailer ended its three-month search for a new chief executive. The company appointed James Bailey, the former managing director of Waitrose, who will take up the role on 30 March. Chair Ian Burke will remain interim executive chair until Bailey’s arrival.

In banking, HSBC said Ann Godbehere, its senior independent director, will step down and retire from the board at the company’s 2026 annual general meeting.

METLEN Energy & Metals rose 2.3%, making it the FTSE 100’s top performer, after announcing the financial closing of the disposal of a large segment of its Chilean portfolio.

The transaction, agreed in April 2025 with GAC RS Chile II SpA, a subsidiary of Glenfarne Group, includes four solar projects with 588MW of operational capacity and co-located battery systems totaling 1,610 MWh.

METLEN said the $865 million consideration reflects “value creation opportunities emerging in the Chilean market” and aligns with its global Asset Rotation Plan.

Other leading gainers included 3i Group, up 1.1%, and Pershing Square Holdings, up 0.8%.

On the downside, DCC fell 3.1%, while Burberry shed 1.3% and Halma declined 1.1%, weighing on the index’s overall advance.