FTSE 100 movers: Defence firms rally; housebuilders slump on Rightmove data
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Monday 20 Oct 2025
(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.6% higher at 9,408.79 in afternoon trade on Monday.
Defence firms Babcock, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems were among the best performers.
Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo Markets, said: "Defence names are lining up among the advancers as Trump reportedly told Zelensky to bow to Putin's demands or be destroyed by Russia."
Rolls-Royce got the added boost of an upgrade to 'hold' from 'sell' at Berenberg. The bank said the upgrade reflected "favourable fleet dynamics and the significant underlying improvement underway in the group".
Berenberg, which hiked its price target on RR to 1,080p from 240p, said free cash flow generation will be supported by an increasing share of engines that sit within the cash-without-cost age bracket to 2035, on its estimates.
Housebuilders Persimmon, Barratt Redrow and Berkeley all fell as data from Rightmove showed the housing market faltered in October as prices softened ahead of the Budget
Average house prices rose just 0.3%, well below the ten-year average for October of 1.1%. Year-on-year, prices dipped 0.1%. The national average asking price now stands at £371,422.
Marks & Spencer was weaker after RBC Capital Markets downgraded the shares to 'sector perform' from 'outperform' but lifted the price target to 400p from 375p.
"M&S should be well positioned, given its strength in premium food and it has been fighting to win back customers in fashion," the bank said. "However it remains a UK consumer proxy, we think execution risk is higher post recent cyber disruption, and we think valuation upside is less than for some other retailers."
FTSE 100 - Risers
Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,180.00p 3.24%
Prudential (PRU) 1,015.50p 2.43%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 230.00p 2.31%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,128.50p 2.31%
Weir Group (WEIR) 2,836.00p 1.79%
Fresnillo (FRES) 2,394.00p 1.79%
St James's Place (STJ) 1,325.50p 1.69%
BAE Systems (BA.) 1,860.50p 1.58%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 605.20p 1.41%
Informa (INF) 929.60p 1.35%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Pearson (PSON) 1,094.00p -2.28%
WPP (WPP) 343.50p -2.25%
Mondi (MNDI) 809.40p -1.94%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,152.00p -1.83%
Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 379.60p -1.43%
Croda International (CRDA) 2,837.00p -1.29%
Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 3,952.00p -1.25%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,181.50p -1.17%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 397.40p -1.14%
easyJet (EZJ) 482.60p -1.09%
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