FTSE edges toward record as healthcare stocks surge

FTSE EDGES TOWARD RECORD AS HEALTHCARE STOCKS SURGE

European shares kicked off the week on a positive note, with strength in select healthcare stocks supporting the broader market and pushing London's FTSE 100 close to its previous peak.

The UK's benchmark index CURRENCYCOM:UK100 rose 0.5%, trading just a few points shy of the record high reached in August, while the pan-European STOXX 600 SXXP added 0.3%.

Healthcare (.SXDP), which has underperformed this year amid uncertainty over tariffs and U.S. drug pricing policy, provided the biggest boost to both indices.

In London, GSK GSK jumped nearly 4% after insider Luke Miels was named to succeed Emma Walmsley as CEO in January, ending her nine-year tenure. Heavyweight AstraZeneca AZN gained more than 1% on plans to list directly on the NYSE.

Biopharma firm UCB UCB surged over 20% at one point in Brussels (BEL20), lifted by disappointing trial results from rival MoonLake Immunotherapeutics' skin disease treatment.

Financials and energy were a drag. Miners and tech rose.

(Danilo Masoni)

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EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES UP, LUFTHANSA CUTS JOBS, GSK CEO STEPS DOWN CLICK HERE

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