UK equities opened lower on Friday, while the pound edged below the $1.34 level and broader European markets traded in negative territory.
By 0814 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.2%. Sterling was broadly steady, rising 0.1% against the dollar to 1.33. On the continent, Germany’s DAX slipped 0.2%, while France’s CAC 40 eased 0.05%.
FTSE 100 round-up
MJ Gleeson plc (LSE:GLE) said it sold 848 homes in the first half of fiscal 2026, up 6% from 801 a year earlier, and reiterated that full-year results are expected to be in line with market expectations. Net reservation rates at its Gleeson Homes division increased to 0.75 per site per week from 0.55 in the first half of 2025, or 0.44 when bulk reservations are excluded.
The Character Group (LSE:CCT) issued a trading update ahead of its AGM, reporting that sales in the four months to Christmas 2025 were around 11% lower than the same period in 2024. While first-half sales to 28 February 2026 are expected to be lower year on year, the toys, games and giftware group anticipates an improvement in the second half. It expects full-year 2026 revenue to be broadly flat versus 2025, with profits before tax and highlighted items forecast to more than double due to a stronger product mix and portfolio enhancements.
Genus plc (LSE:GNS) reported a stronger-than-expected first-half performance for fiscal 2026. The company expects adjusted profit before tax of around £50 million in actual currency, excluding a milestone payment, or approximately £55.6 million including the milestone. Following the update, Genus now expects full-year adjusted profit before tax to come in moderately above the top end of current market forecasts of £82.7 million to £85.0 million.
Ninety One (LSE:N91) said assets under management rose to £159.8 billion as of 31 December 2025, up from £152.1 billion at the end of September and £130.2 billion a year earlier. The dual-listed investment manager said it will release its fourth-quarter 2026 AUM update on 16 April 2026.
Media and technology
In media news, the BBC is set to enter a significant content partnership with Alphabet Inc’s YouTube, according to the Financial Times citing people familiar with the talks. Under the proposed agreement, the broadcaster would begin producing programmes specifically for YouTube audiences, with the content also appearing on the BBC’s own digital platforms. The deal could be announced as early as next week, marking a shift from the BBC’s current use of YouTube primarily for trailers and promotional clips.
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