The FTSE 100 advanced more than 0.5% on Thursday, aligning with broader European markets. Gains were primarily driven by a global rebound in technology sentiment, strong corporate updates, and renewed takeover activity. HSBC rose 1.1%, 3i jumped 11.5%, and AstraZeneca gained 1.1%, alongside broader support from banking, mining, and consumer equities. Budget airline operator EasyJet climbed over 6% after rejecting a fourth takeover proposal from investment firm Castlelake while simultaneously extending the deadline for potential future offers. Financial giant Barclays also advanced nearly 3% following announcements that its US division exceeded mandatory capital thresholds in recent Federal Reserve stress tests. Conversely, energy majors Shell and BP finished lower, pressured by a volatile oil market that traded down for most of the session before recovering late in the UK schedule on renewed concerns over Strait of Hormuz flows.