FTSE 100 closes 1.1 percent higher as Healey backs budget discipline
Published on 10/15/2026 at 18:49 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSGrowth and defensives lift London
- The FTSE 100 closed at 10,840 points on October 15, up 115 points or 1.1 percent.
- UK GDP grew 0.1 percent in August against a 0.1 percent contraction forecast.
- Antofagasta fell 6.4 percent after weaker copper guidance for 2027.
- US import and export price data are due October 16 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
The FTSE 100 closed at 10,840 points on October 15, gaining 115 points or 1.1 percent. Stronger UK growth and fiscal-discipline comments from Finance Minister John Healey supported the advance, Global Banking and Finance reports.
Antofagasta was the sharpest FTSE 100 faller, down 6.4 percent after its 2027 copper output guidance fell below a broker forecast. The stock move and the index close were reported on October 15 by Morningstar.
Why did the FTSE 100 rise on October 15?
UK GDP expanded 0.1 percent in August, beating economists' forecast of a 0.1 percent contraction. Growth over the three months to August reached 0.7 percent against a 0.5 percent forecast, Yahoo Finance reports.
Healey said the government's budget would focus on economic resilience and fiscal discipline. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell to 5.34 percent after his comments, while financial stocks gained.
FTSE 100 winners and losers
Morningstar's FTSE 100 list for October 15 showed the following leaders and laggards:
- Auto Trader up 3.1 percent
- IG Group up 3.0 percent
- Experian up 2.9 percent: software shares recovered amid artificial-intelligence concerns
- Antofagasta down 6.4 percent: 2027 output guidance underwhelmed
- Halma down 5.0 percent
- Rio Tinto down 4.0 percent: miners weakened alongside copper-related concerns
FTSE 100 range and defensive rotation
The index traded between 10,695.84 and 10,809.59 points, after Wednesday's close at 10,724.86 points, RTTNews reports.
Healthcare and consumer companies benefited as global technology stocks remained under pressure. AstraZeneca rose 3.2 percent, GSK gained 2.9 percent and Unilever advanced 1.8 percent, while industrial metal miners fell 1.4 percent, Reuters via Yahoo Finance reports.
What comes next for the FTSE 100
- October 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET: US import and export price indexes are due, InvestingLive reports.
- October 16, 2026, 10:00 a.m. London time: Euro-area inflation data are scheduled, AskTraders reports.
