London, 28 January 2026 – The London stock market displayed a mixed performance today, as investors reacted cautiously to corporate earnings reports and upcoming global monetary policy announcements. The FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the UK’s largest companies, fell by 0.4%, primarily dragged down by banking and healthcare stocks. Analysts are closely scrutinising both corporate results and the potential impact of the forthcoming US Federal Reserve (Fed) policy statement.
The decline in the FTSE 100 was largely attributable to two heavyweight sectors: banking and healthcare. Conversely, the FTSE 250, which primarily reflects the performance of mid-cap British companies, rose by 0.1%, reaching its highest level since January 2022. This divergence highlights a continuing resilience among domestic-focused firms despite broader sectoral volatility.
The following table summarises today’s key indices and selected stock movements:
| Name / Sector | Change Today (%) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| FTSE 100 | -0.4% | Decline driven by heavyweight sectors |
| FTSE 250 | +0.1% | Strong performance among domestic companies |
| Healthcare sector | -1.9% | Significant falls in major pharmaceutical stocks |
| Banking sector | -1.2% | Slight retreat following recent record highs |
| GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) | -1.9% | Leading pharma company impacted by investor caution |
| AstraZeneca | -2.3% | Shares slide amid cautious sentiment |
| LVMH | -6.7% | Luxury group hit by disappointing quarterly results |
| Shell | +1.0% | Energy sector gains on rising oil prices |
| BP | +1.0% | Positive momentum in the energy sector |
| Pets at Home | +5.3% | Retailer benefits from strong consumer demand |
Healthcare stocks drew particular attention today, with GSK and AstraZeneca each falling by nearly 2%, reflecting investor caution over the pharmaceutical sector. Banking shares also recorded losses: Investec, HSBC Holdings, and Close Brothers fell between 1% and 2%, following recent record highs.
The luxury sector suffered notable setbacks. French conglomerate LVMH’s shares dropped 6.7% after a disappointing quarterly earnings report, with other premium brands, including Burberry and Watches of Switzerland, also affected.
In contrast, precious metals stocks advanced by 2.1%, supported by gold prices above $5,300 per ounce, reaffirming the sector’s safe-haven status. The energy sector mirrored this optimism, with Shell and BP shares climbing around 1%, aided by recent peaks in crude oil prices.
Investors are now keenly awaiting the US Federal Reserve’s policy announcement, with analysts widely anticipating that interest rates will remain unchanged. In addition, forthcoming earnings releases from several major UK and international firms are expected to provide fresh impetus for market activity in the coming days.