LONDON — The FTSE 100 rose 0.22% to close at 10,466.26 on Monday, May 25, 2026, extending gains amid selective buying in mining and energy shares even as broader global markets navigated higher bond yields and holiday-thinned trading volumes.

The benchmark index added 22.79 points from Friday's close of 10,443.47. It traded in a range between 10,435.53 and 10,497.22 during the session, according to data as of 14:54 BST. While modest, the advance marked another step toward psychological resistance levels near 10,500 as investors weighed mixed signals from inflation, commodities and corporate earnings.

Trading activity remained subdued across European bourses due to the Memorial Day holiday closure in the United States, which reduced participation from major transatlantic investors. Many London traders also operated with lighter staffing as the UK enjoyed a bank holiday weekend in some regions.

Mining stocks provided significant support. Heavyweight names such as Rio Tinto and BHP advanced on firmer copper and iron ore prices, reflecting continued demand expectations from Asia despite earlier concerns over China's economic slowdown. Energy majors BP and Shell gained ground as oil prices hovered above $100 per barrel amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The modest FTSE 100 gain contrasted with some weakness in domestically focused mid-cap stocks tracked by the FTSE 250, which lagged slightly on retail and consumer sector softness. Higher borrowing costs linked to rising Treasury yields in the U.S. overnight weighed on rate-sensitive sectors including real estate and utilities.

Analysts noted that the UK market's resilience stems partly from attractive valuations compared with U.S. equities and a weaker pound that benefits large multinational exporters within the index. The currency........

© International Business Times