Published: November 27, 2025 at 1:51 pm
The UK’s biggest listed companies steadied today after Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, with the FTSE 100 down only 0.12%, whilst the 250 has risen by 0.69%.
Bank shares were among the clearest beneficiaries after the Chancellor chose not to introduce new levies on lenders’ profits.
NatWest (+2.23%), Lloyds (1.98%), St James’s Place (+1.54%) and Barclays (1.36%) all moved up in that context, helped by the view that the tax backdrop for the sector is now more stable heading into 2026.
Trainline (+2.01%) also rose after recently sliding to its lowest level of the year, despite posting growth for the first six months of its financial year earlier this month.
Raspberry Pi’s gain was modest (3.48%), whilst WPP slipped again, continuing the trend of caution around advertising and marketing companies, coupled with its recent results.
Playtech was the standout riser at 10.72% as, despite new gambling tax changes in the UK, the company remains comfortable that it can meet market expectations for the year.
In the same sector, Rank Group fell sharply (-7.12%), calling the Budget ‘a significant blow’ and expecting an operating profit reduction of around £40 million before mitigation.