The UK stock market opened the week slightly stronger, with the FTSE 100 up 12 points (0.13%) at 9,730 in early Monday trading.
Financials and energy majors led the gains, with Standard Chartered climbing 1.6%, Legal & General up 1.4%, and BP advancing 1.75%.
Oil stocks were buoyed by news that OPEC+ has paused its planned output increases for the first quarter of 2026, supporting crude prices and investor sentiment across the sector.
BP was among the top risers after announcing the $1.5 billion sale of its non-controlling interests in the Permian and Eagle Ford midstream assets of its U.S. onshore oil and gas business.
Shell shares also rose 1%, helped by target price upgrades from both Berenberg and Citigroup issued this morning.
The overall market tone was upbeat, reflecting firmer commodity prices and optimism ahead of this week’s Bank of England rate decision and key economic data releases.
