FTSE 100 Today: Index Rises, Pound Above $1.37 as Oil Stocks Gain; GSK, Beazley in Focus

The FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday as investors reacted to strength in energy and insurance stocks, while the British pound climbed above $1.37 against the U.S. dollar. Gains in major oil producers and takeover‑related activity helped lift the UK’s blue‑chip index, even as some technology names remained under pressure following recent sell‑offs driven by fears of AI disruption. Overall, the positive move in the index reflects shifting investor sentiment and rotation into defensive and cyclical sectors within the broader stock market.