$AAL.L

Friday midday, the FTSE 100 rose 0.72% to 10,946.14, led by mining gains. Fresnillo (+5.7%) and Endeavour Mining (+2.5%) climbed, with Anglo American up 1.1%. Diageo rose 4%, Prudential 3.3%, and LSEG 3.2%. Investors weighed Iran-US Strait of Hormuz uncertainty and upcoming US jobs data. UK house prices were flat in July, according to Lloyds Banking Group.

Global equities rose toward record highs after Washington signalled a potential US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which pushed oil prices lower. In Ireland, AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB fell while Ryanair rose. In the UK, Shell and BP dropped. Europe saw gains in Bayer and chip stocks, while Lufthansa fell. In the US, the S&P and Nasdaq 100 rose; Palantir’s outlook and Caterpillar’s raised forecast supported sentiment.

City AM’s FTSE 100 liveblog says UK blue chips rose early Tuesday, led by London-listed miners. Glencore and Antofagasta gained over 4%, Anglo American rose 3.5%, and Rio Tinto 2.5%. Fresnillo reported revenue up 75% to $3.4bn. Brent crude rose nearly 3% to about $85 amid US-Iran peace-deal hopes.

Anglo American said it has not granted exclusivity to any group bidding for De Beers, with CEO Duncan Wanblad saying there is more than one bidder in the process. Botswana officials previously said Anglo identified a preferred bidder, the Global Diamond Consortium. Anglo also reported halved first-half losses to $858 million from $1.88 billion in 2025.

BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - U.K.'s equity benchmark index FTSE 100 climbed to a fresh record high on Friday, led by gains in mining and financials sector stocks. Strong earnings updates and easing concerns about AI infrastructure spending helped lift sentiment. The FTSE 100, which advanced to 10,991.07, was up 34.20 points or 0.31% at 10,931.47 nearly half an hour past noon. Natwest Group climbed 5.5% on strong second-quarter earnings.

Copper Leads Profit Growth Anglo American’s simplified portfolio generated $4.1 billion in EBITDA, an increase of 31% from the previous year. The EBITDA margin reached 46%, while underlying earnings increased 60% to $1 billion. Around 70% of portfolio EBITDA came from copper, highlighting the metal’s growing importance to the company’s investment case. Revenue increased 22%, while copper production reached 344,000 tonnes during the first half.

Anglo American PLC reported a narrower first-half loss, citing higher revenues and improved production, including at its De Beers operations. The company said the loss remains due to discontinued operations and a tax impact. Anglo American also confirmed its FY2026 production outlook, which may affect investor expectations for output and cash generation.

UK FTSE 100 rose modestly to 10,655.35 (+0.15%) after weak crude oil and ONS data showed retail sales up 1% in June vs forecast -0.3%. Several stocks gained, including JD Sports (+3%), Weir Group, 3i, Anglo American and IAG. HSBC rose ~1.5% on plans to sell its Singapore life and health unit to Allianz. DiscoverIE jumped 13% on a 31% orders increase; Renishaw gained ~5% on profit outlook.

Anglo American PLC reported Q2 copper output of 173,200 tons, flat year over year, citing higher throughput at Los Bronces offset by lower-grade processing at Collahuasi and expected lower grades at Quellaveco. It reaffirmed FY2026 guidance for copper 700,000-760,000 tons and diamond 21-26 million carats, plus premium iron ore 55-59 million tons.

U.K. stocks edged higher as investors bought mining and banking shares after UK employment data and Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to scrap the Digital ID Programme and cut household energy bills. The FTSE 100 rose to 10,543.85 (+0.18%). Miners like Antofagasta and Glencore gained; banks such as HSBC and Barclays rose. Kier Group jumped after FY26 guidance; Compass Group fell.