In corporate news, British telecommunications group Vodafone Group (VOD.L) led the top risers of the blue-chip index after it reported growth in total revenue for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30 and updated its outlook for fiscal 2027. The stock offers in fact a highly demanding low dividend yield of c.3.5%," commented Baader Europe. AstraZeneca (AZN.L) gained 1.72% after its first-half attributable profit grew to $5.59 billion from $5.37 billion earlier, while revenue jumped to $30.67 billion from $28.05 billion. The drugmaker also confirmed its 2026 outlook, including mid- to high-single-digit growth in total revenue. The proposal values the target at 5.75 billion pounds.