Markets
Skyscrapers in  London
(Getty Images)
BRIT POP

Britain’s biggest stock index hit a new record this week — what’s actually in there?

The FTSE 100 passed the 9,000-point mark for the first time on Tuesday and so far is outperforming the S&P 500 in 2025.

Millie Giles

It’s a strange time for the global stock market. Amid tariffs, mounting geopolitical tensions, and stalling consumer spending, companies the world over have spent much of the year weathering countless ups and downs. While that volatility has left Wall Street banks with much to celebrate, another surprise winner has been UK stocks

On Tuesday, Britain’s blue-chip stock index, the FTSE 100, broke through the 9,000-point barrier for the first time ever, taking its 2025 gains to more than 10% — thus far beating the S&P 500, at just over 6%. Though the index then fell back below this benchmark, closing nearly 60 points lower by the end of the session, reaching the milestone could signify a shift in investor confidence about UK business. 

But why is the FTSE only now hitting new highs — and which companies are actually in it?

The FTSE is made up of the 100 largest stocks on the London Stock Exchange, counting AstraZeneca (worth ~$217 billion), HSBC (~$214 billion), and Shell (~$206 billion) among its biggest constituents. 

Dino-soar

Per the Guardian, the FTSE has previously been referred to as a “Jurassic Park” index owing to a lack of fast-growing tech players and reliance on long-standing industries like finance and energy — with the latter making up 9% of the index’s total ~2.3 trillion pounds (~$3 trillion) value between just two companies at the time of writing. Currently, defense stocks are the FTSE’s top performers, with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce up ~63% and ~70%, respectively, since the start of the year.

These dependable companies have become increasingly appealing to investors during market turmoil. Even though the majority (~75%) of the FTSE’s earnings is still derived from abroad, its reliance on industry stalwarts has become a boon for the index, rather than a bane. (It also doesn’t hurt that uncertainty from the trade war has seen more international investors turn away from the US and the EU.)

More Markets

See all Markets
markets

Nike sinks to lowest level since 2014 after warning of “challenged” sales environment in Q4 report

Did Nike do it?

Investors had a mixed reaction after the global sports apparel company reported its fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday after the bell. Shares initially rose 5% as Nike beat out Wall Street expectations amid a hefty tariff refund bonus. However, the stock then sank to its lowest level since August 2014 in postmarket trading.

Here are the Q4 numbers:

  • Revenue of $11.0 billion (estimate: $10.8 billion).

  • Adjusted earnings per share of $0.20 (estimate: $0.12).

Ahead of this report, Nike warned that results would be flattered by a one-time tariff refund (now estimated at roughly $0.52 per share for the bottom line). That gave the company an extra cushion in snapping its streak of seven quarters of year-over-year profit declines.

Over the past year, the company had been punished by tariffs on imported goods, stagnant consumer spending, and increasing competition from other footwear brands like New Balance, Adidas, and Hoka.

Outgoing CFO Matthew Friend deemed it an “increasingly challenging operating environment, where sell-through remains challenged.”

markets

Rocket Lab deal lifts space stocks

Shares of Rocket Lab are surging after announcing an $8 billion acquisition of satellite communications operator Iridium Communications, helping lift a broader basket of space-related stocks as investors piled back into the sector.

Planet Labs, AST SpaceMobile and Redwire all traded higher alongside Rocket Lab, extending gains in an industry that has drawn enhanced investor attention in recent months in light of the strategic importance that governments place on space and satellite communications infrastructure.

In a presentation, Rocket Lab’s management called the purchase “a shortcut” for its satellite communications business.

Under the terms of the agreement, Iridium shareholders will receive $27 in cash and Rocket Lab stock, valuing Iridium at $54 per share. Backed by a $3.6 billion bridge loan committed by Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo, Rocket Lab absorbs Iridium’s globally licensed spectrum and an active base of 2.5 million subscribers.

Rocket Lab has also remained one of the most active launch providers in the sector. The company completed its 12th launch of the year last week, maintaining one of the highest launch cadences among commercial space companies.

Today's rally helps offset a brutal stretch for the group. Rocket Lab shares had fallen over 35% over the prior month, while Planet Labs stock was down more than 40% and AST SpaceMobile stock was down around 30% over the same window.

markets
Jake Lahut

Comcast shares rise on news of NBCUniversal spinoff deal

Comcast rose on the news that the telecom behemoth is spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky from its cable portfolio. 

Comcast initially jumped up to 17% in early trading, with the deal leaving management to focus on its core verticals of cable, wireless, and business services. 

NBCUniversal and Sky will form a new publicly traded company, similar to Versant Media, the holding company of CNBC and MS NOW that Comcast officially spun off in January. Bravo, one of the most lucrative properties that remained at Comcast, will remain part of NBCUniversal in the deal. The Universal theme parks and studios will also come with the new spinoff entity, along with Telemundo and Peacock.

Mike Cavanagh, the co-CEO of Comcast, will become the CEO for NBCUniversal, according to CNBC. 

The spinoff will be completed in about a year, according to a Comcast company statement. Its shareholders will also own shares in NBCUniversal, according to the same statement.

Latest Stories

Sherwood Media, LLC and Chartr Limited produce fresh and unique perspectives on topical financial news and are fully owned subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc., and any views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of any other Robinhood affiliate, including Robinhood Markets, Inc., Robinhood Financial LLC, Robinhood Securities, LLC, Robinhood Crypto, LLC, Robinhood Money, LLC, Robinhood U.K. Ltd, Robinhood Derivatives, LLC, Robinhood Gold, LLC, Robinhood Asset Management, LLC, Robinhood Credit, Inc., Robinhood Ventures DE, LLC and, where applicable, its managed investment vehicles.