FTSE edges higher on BT buy call

clock

Telecoms giant BT leads the risers in early trading on Friday as markets edged higher once more.

As of shortly after 9am, the firm was almost 4p better, or 4.19%, at 96.9p, after Bank of America-Merrill Lynch raised its recommendation from neutral to buy and raised its price target from 110p to 130p. An hour after opening, the FTSE had advanced 0.19 points, or 0.08%, to 4,462.06. Royal Bank of Scotland was also in demand, rising 1.6p to 41.3p, but Barclays slipped 4p to 300p following confirmation of the £8.2bn sale of its BGI business to US investment giant BlackRock. Miners fell on Friday, with Vedanta Resources slipping 74p, or 4.24%, to £16.73 as it launched a $1bn convertibl...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Watch Professional Adviser's Working Lunch with Baillie Gifford - Enduring Growth in a Changing World

Watch Professional Adviser's Working Lunch with Baillie Gifford - Enduring Growth in a Changing World

Catch up on the discussion

Professional Adviser
clock 21 August 2025 • 1 min read
PA Awards 2025: Why MyFolio Index came out top as Best Risk Targeted Range of Funds

PA Awards 2025: Why MyFolio Index came out top as Best Risk Targeted Range of Funds

Aberdeen Investments Senior Investment Director and Head of Managed & Model Solutions Justin Jones shares what sets MyFolio Index apart following its Best Risk Targeted Range of Funds award win at the Professional Adviser Awards 2025.

Professional Adviser
clock 19 August 2025 • 3 min read
Woodford IM hits back at FCA's enforcement action including £46m in fines

Woodford IM hits back at FCA's enforcement action including £46m in fines

WIM said it 'strongly disagrees' with the regulator's decision

Cristian Angeloni
clock 05 August 2025 • 3 min read