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London’s FTSE 100 extended its gains on Friday, closing the last day of the week 0.51% higher, amid a fresh batch of corporate and economic updates that hit the market.
Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK fell to 1.52 billion pounds sterling in December 2025 from the revised 2.14 billion pounds a month ago, according to data from the Bank of England. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases also declined to 61,013 from the revised 64,072 in the previous month.
Meanwhile, the country’s M4 money supply edged 0.3% higher month over month in December 2025, against the prior 0.8% increase.
In corporate news, RBC Capital Markets raised its price target for Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) to 1.20 pounds sterling from 1.10 pounds and reiterated its outperform rating amid a model update following its fourth-quarter 2025 results.
“Our FY27 adj PBT estimate increases by 5% driven by higher other income and lower operating expenses. The other income turnout in FY26 and the growth guidance for FY26 was better than we had expected. We lower our FY26 operating expenses in line with LLOY’s guidance of less than GBP9.9bn, with some of that benefit also being felt in FY27,” the research firm said.
Lloyds also launched a share buyback program worth up to 1.75 billion pounds, which is set to run until Dec. 31, 2026, at the latest. The British banking group was among the blue-chip index’s top risers, gaining 3.32% at closing.
Meanwhile, mining company Anglo American (AAL.L) secured the European Commission’s approval for its acquisition of its Canadian peer Teck Resources, after the commission concluded that the proposed deal would not raise competition concerns because the companies would have limited market positions after completion.
Anglo American was among the top fallers, losing 2.63% on Friday’s close, along with fellow miners Fresnillo (FRES.L), Antofagasta (ANTO.L) and Glencore (GLEN.L), which logged respective declines of 5.08%, 3.65%, and 1.70%.