FTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca jumps on COPD drug news; Metlen slumps

27th Mar 2026 15:27

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was flat at 9,976.77 in afternoon trade on Friday.

AstraZeneca shot to the top of the index saying its respiratory treatment tozorakimab showed a meaningful reduction in ​flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in two late-stage trials.

3i Group was in the black, recovering from heavy losses in the previous session, after it warned of potential headwinds at portfolio holding Action, a Dutch discount retailer.

Precious metals miner Fresnillo shone, along with miners Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo American as gold, silver and copper prices rose.

On the downside, Metlen Energy tumbled as it said full-year results will be delayed by nine days after PricewaterhouseCoopers asked for more time to complete its audit of the first financial statements of the firm as a dual-listed company in the UK and Greece.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "The Greek company is enduring a bumpy start to life on the London market, having shifted its listing last summer.

"Guidance was cut in February and delaying results is never a good look."

Housebuilders were under the cosh, with Barratt Redrow and Persimmon both weaker as mortgage rates jumped again.

Defence firms Babcock and Rolls-Royce also lost ground.

FTSE 100 - Risers

AstraZeneca (AZN) 14,256.00p 3.24%

3i Group (III) 2,352.00p 2.70%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 6,526.00p 1.73%

Fresnillo (FRES) 3,204.00p 1.39%

Glencore (GLEN) 538.10p 1.37%

NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 540.00p 1.16%

Aviva (AV.) 597.00p 1.01%

Anglo American (AAL) 3,068.00p 0.92%

Croda International (CRDA) 2,857.00p 0.88%

Tesco (TSCO) 458.00p 0.77%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 32.45p -6.62%

Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,165.00p -3.63%

Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 258.80p -3.43%

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (PSH) 3,830.00p -3.13%

Persimmon (PSN) 1,085.00p -2.95%

British Land Company (BLND) 344.60p -2.93%

Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,112.50p -2.78%

Entain (ENT) 538.80p -2.49%

Informa (INF) 746.40p -2.38%

Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 2,954.00p -2.32%