FTSE 100 news overview: Friday 2 October 2026

Most positive coverage

Companies with 3+ relevant stories.

1. BP +8.3 8 stories
   Coverage focused on BP's strong September share performance and positive analyst moves, including a JPMorgan upgrade with a higher target and Wells Fargo's Buy rating.
2. SSE +8.0 8 stories
   Coverage centred on SSE's trading update, which reiterated its 2026/27 EPS guidance, with networks lifting earnings and renewables output set to rise 20%.
3. Whitbread +7.8 8 stories
   Coverage focused on Whitbread buying two Future Inns hotels in Bristol and Plymouth, adding 292 rooms for conversion to Premier Inn.
4. Rolls-Royce Holdings +7.7 8 stories
   Coverage focused on Rolls-Royce licensing local mtu engine production in Saudi Arabia, a £300m UK factory investment, and Berenberg raising its target.
5. Coca-Cola HBC +7.5 5 stories
   Coverage was mainly Deutsche Bank naming Coca-Cola HBC as a top European stock pick for the fourth quarter.

Most negative coverage

Companies with 3+ relevant stories.

1. IG Group −8.3 6 stories
   Coverage centred on IG's Q3 trading update, which pointed to a 14% fall in revenue and weaker OTC retention.
2. EasyJet −8.0 9 stories
   Coverage was dominated by strike action and flight cancellations affecting easyJet, including at Manchester and three European airports, plus a planned cabin crew strike in Portugal.
3. NatWest Group −5.5 21 stories
   NatWest shares fell around 4-5% as UK banks slid on rising gilt yields and budget worries, with the Chancellor summoning bank chiefs to a pre-budget summit.
4. Haleon −5.0 6 stories
   Coverage was mostly about Haleon's shares slipping after JPMorgan put it on negative catalyst watch, with targets cut and growth worries ahead of the Q3 update.
5. Smith & Nephew −4.7 5 stories
   Coverage centred on the shares hitting a 52-week low and trading under pressure despite a new knee system clearance.

Biggest moves from the day before

• IG Group +4.0 → −8.3
  Coverage centred on IG's Q3 trading update, which pointed to a 14% fall in revenue and weaker OTC retention.
• JD Sports +8.3 → −0.8
  A profit warning dragged the FTSE 100 to a week low and weighed heavily on the day.
• NatWest Group +3.7 → −5.5
  NatWest shares fell around 4-5% as UK banks slid on rising gilt yields and budget worries, with the Chancellor summoning bank chiefs to a pre-budget summit.
• HSBC +5.3 → −3.7
  Coverage was dominated by HSBC shares falling alongside UK banks as gilt yields hit their highest since 1998 and budget worries grew.
• Burberry Group +5.5 → −3.2
  Coverage was mostly about analyst caution, with RBC cutting its price target and another fair value estimate edging lower.
• BP +0.7 → +8.3
  Coverage focused on BP's strong September share performance and positive analyst moves, including a JPMorgan upgrade with a higher target and Wells Fargo's Buy rating.
• LondonMetric Property +5.3 → −2.3
  Coverage was mixed: LondonMetric completed its Picton deal, but shares fell and Citigroup cut its price target.
• Shell +4.5 → −2.5
  Coverage leaned negative, with new Prelude court proceedings, the Kashagan dispute and questions over payouts after a crude selloff.

Strongest and weakest tone

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