27th Feb 2026 14:12
(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.3% higher at 10,881.46 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Rightmove was the standout gainer on the index as it posted a 9% jump in full-year underlying operating profit and revenue, and announced a £90m share buyback.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Rightmove regained its poise after a wobbly period and topped the FTSE 100 risers' list. A resilient set of earnings, a new share buyback programme, and plans to launch an app inside ChatGPT have helped to calm investors' nerves.
"Rightmove spooked the market last year with plans to spend on AI-related services, and now it is under pressure to justify this expenditure and say how it will fight off competition from generative AI platforms."
LSEG was also in the black, a day after it unveiled plans to return £3bn to shareholders alongside a rise in annual earnings.
Melrose Industries slumped even as the aerospace and defence firm reported a 21% increase in profits last year as global tensions and conflicts sparked a "significant" increase in military spending.
Flutter Entertainment was under pressure as the Paddy Power owner's fourth-quarter results fell short of expectations.
IAG flew lower. The BA and Iberia owner said it had delivered another "record" financial performance in 2025 and that it would be returning €1.5bn of excess capital in the next 12 months, but shares fell, with analysts pointing to potential disappointment around guidance.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Rightmove (RMV) 452.90p 5.62%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 8,882.00p 4.49%
Fresnillo (FRES) 4,262.00p 3.85%
Diageo (DGE) 1,625.50p 2.49%
Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 3,430.00p 2.39%
BT Group (BT.A) 212.50p 2.21%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 348.40p 2.17%
Relx plc (REL) 2,575.00p 1.98%
Haleon (HLN) 400.40p 1.57%
BP (BP.) 481.75p 1.57%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Melrose Industries (MRO) 558.60p -12.72%
Flutter Entertainment (DI) (FLTR) 8,136.00p -10.32%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 428.00p -6.41%
Tesco (TSCO) 468.60p -3.38%
easyJet (EZJ) 460.70p -3.32%
Barclays (BARC) 459.45p -2.79%
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 344.60p -2.32%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,166.50p -2.10%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 103.10p -1.72%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 392.90p -1.70%