The FTSE 100 opened higher on 16 September 2026, climbing 0.38 per cent to 10,697.83 as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision.
European markets followed suit, with the Euronext 100 rising 0.57 per cent to 1,887.39 and Germany’s DAX gaining 0.37 per cent to 25,497.25.
US markets were less buoyant, with the Nasdaq closing lower at 25,981.57 and the S&P 500 declining to 7,585.73 as traders remained cautious ahead of the Fed announcement.
Mining stocks provided meaningful support to the FTSE 100, with copper and gold both moving higher during the session as commodity markets delivered a mixed picture.
Brent crude and natural gas both declined, with oil prices remaining under pressure amid rising US crude inventories despite ongoing concerns about Saudi supply.
Housebuilder Barratt Redrow (LSE: BTRW) delivered one of the more notable corporate updates of the day, reporting a 6.6 per cent increase in FY26 revenue to £6.06 billion.
Home completions at Barratt Redrow rose 5 per cent to 17,667 over the period, though adjusted profit before tax declined 7.1 per cent compared with the prior year.
The group also reported £73 million in integration cost synergies, reflecting ongoing progress from its merger combining the Barratt and Redrow businesses.
Retailer WH Smith (LSE: SMWH) also updated the market, reporting a 5 per cent increase in revenue during summer trading and maintaining its full-year profit guidance of £75 million.
The summer trading update gives investors a clearer indication of performance ahead of the retailer’s annual results, with the maintained guidance likely to provide reassurance to shareholders.
Sterling was active in currency markets, gaining against the Swiss franc, euro and Japanese yen, while weakening against the US dollar, which rose 0.08 per cent to $1.3482 against the pound.
Bitcoin fell against sterling to £56,233.43, as broader risk sentiment remained subdued with market participants closely monitoring both Federal Reserve commentary and ongoing Middle East developments.