FTSE 100 movers: Melrose rallies again; defence firms in the red

28th Aug 2026 14:00

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 up 0.2% at 10,810.65 in afternoon trade on Friday.

Melrose was among the top performers, having gained earlier in the week after it said the Orange County District Attorney had closed its criminal investigation into an incident at the GKN Aerospace Garden Grove facility with no charges.

Utilities SSE, Severt Trent, United Utilities and British Gas owner Centrica were also on the rise.

On the downside, JD Sports slumped after Goldman Sachs nudged down its price target on the sportswear retailer.

BAE Systems and Babcock both fell on news that new chancellor John Healey will delay setting out when the UK will meet the target of spending 3% of GDP on defence until next year's spending review.

His first budget in October will focus instead on funding the defence investment plan.

FTSE 100 - Risers

SSE (SSE) 2,436.00p 2.44%

Melrose Industries (MRO) 520.40p 2.32%

Investec (INVP) 659.00p 2.25%

Croda International (CRDA) 3,494.00p 1.92%

HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 1,521.40p 1.24%

Severn Trent (SVT) 3,132.00p 1.23%

Anglo American (AAL) 4,292.00p 1.20%

Centrica (CNA) 155.85p 1.13%

United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,427.00p 1.13%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 4,082.00p 1.06%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 84.90p -3.26%

Airtel Africa (AAF) 331.60p -2.59%

BAE Systems (BA.) 2,041.00p -2.10%

The Sage Group (SGE) 1,082.50p -1.81%

Autotrader Group (AUTO) 528.00p -1.68%

Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,066.00p -1.52%

Kingfisher (KGF) 313.50p -1.45%

Admiral Group (ADM) 4,028.00p -1.18%

Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,059.50p -1.12%

Experian (EXPN) 3,010.00p -0.99%