London Stocks Rise on Strong Corporate Earnings Despite BoE Caution

The FTSE 100 index climbed 0.9% to reach 10,307.19 points, as robust corporate earnings offset lingering concerns over monetary policy. Rolls-Royce shares surged nearly 6.8% after the company reaffirmed its profit outlook, providing a significant boost to the index, while Weir Group shares fell 7.5% despite broader strength in the engineering sector. These gains follow the Bank of England's (BoE) decision to maintain interest rates at 3.75%, with an 8-1 vote split reflecting caution amid geopolitical risks and potential energy shocks. While UK gilt yields remain at elevated levels, the positive momentum from corporate updates has shifted market sentiment away from earlier losses. Investors are now weighing strong individual stock performances against a modest national growth forecast of 0.9%.