China’s new pledge to buy more American farm products helped send soybean, corn, and wheat prices sharply higher Monday, reviving hopes that U.S. agriculture exports could rebound after collapsing in 2025. But investors may want to temper their excitement.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

LONDON — Several FTSE 100 companies have gained attention in 2026 for their exposure to artificial intelligence applications, ranging from drug discovery to infrastructure support and data analytics, even as the index itself has limited direct pure-play AI representation.

AstraZeneca stands out for its integration of AI into pharmaceutical research. The company acquired Boston-based Modella AI in early 2026 to support oncology research with AI agents. It also partnered on AI-driven platforms for weight-loss drug development. AstraZeneca, one of the largest companies in the index by market capitalization, has used AI to accelerate aspects of its pipeline.

Rolls-Royce Holdings benefits from AI through its work on infrastructure and advanced engineering. The company supports data center and energy needs tied to AI computing demands. Its aerospace and power systems divisions have seen interest linked to broader AI ecosystem requirements. Rolls-Royce shares have performed strongly in 2026 amid industrial recovery.

BAE Systems provides defense technology with growing AI applications in systems and analytics. The company has seen gains in 2026 as one of the top FTSE 100 performers, partly tied to demand for advanced capabilities that incorporate AI elements in security and military contexts.

Rio Tinto supplies critical materials such as copper and aluminum essential for AI infrastructure, including data centers and power networks. As a leading mining company, its output supports the physical buildout of AI-related facilities. The firm has been highlighted for its role in the AI supply chain.

Halma specializes in safety, environmental and analytical technologies, including components relevant to AI-driven systems and facilities. The company provides sensors, photonics and related tools that support data center operations and industrial AI applications.

These five companies illustrate how FTSE 100 firms participate in the AI theme indirectly. The index overall has lower direct exposure compared to U.S. benchmarks, with gains often driven by commodity, defense and healthcare sectors that intersect with AI growth.

AstraZeneca’s market capitalization exceeded £220 billion earlier in 2026. The company continues clinical development while incorporating AI tools for research efficiency. Its oncology and respiratory pipelines have drawn analyst focus alongside AI initiatives.

Rolls-Royce reported strong results in 2026, contributing to FTSE 100 advances. Its civil aerospace and power systems segments align with rising energy demands from AI training and inference. The company has emphasized long-term contracts and operational improvements.

BAE Systems ranked among the strongest FTSE 100 performers in early 2026, with shares rising significantly year to date. Defense spending trends and technology integration have supported its position. The firm delivers systems across air, land and sea domains with increasing digital and AI-adjacent features.

Rio Tinto operates large-scale mining assets worldwide, producing metals vital for electrification and computing hardware. Copper demand has been linked to data center expansion. The company maintains operations in iron ore, aluminum and other commodities.

Halma’s portfolio includes businesses in safety sensors and photonics, areas that support high-tech facilities. The firm has a track record of consistent growth through acquisitions and organic expansion in specialized markets.

Other FTSE 100 names with noted AI ties include London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and RELX. LSEG provides financial data and analytics platforms that incorporate AI tools. RELX, through its information and analytics businesses, has applied AI across legal, scientific and risk sectors. Fund managers have described these as potential beneficiaries despite earlier concerns over disruption.

The FTSE 100 reached record levels in 2026, supported by diversified sectors amid global AI enthusiasm. The index gained nearly 22 percent in 2025 and continued upward momentum into the new year, partly reflecting indirect AI tailwinds through commodities and industrials.

Investors access these stocks via the London Stock Exchange. Share prices fluctuate with company results, commodity cycles, defense budgets and pharmaceutical pipelines. Dividend yields vary, with many FTSE 100 constituents offering payouts alongside growth exposure.

AstraZeneca trades under ticker AZN on the LSE. Rolls-Royce uses RR., BAE Systems BA., Rio Tinto RIO and Halma HLMA. Official company reports and regulatory filings provide performance data.

Broader market context includes global AI spending by technology firms. FTSE 100 companies position themselves through supply chains, applications and enabling technologies rather than core chip or model development.

Analysts monitor quarterly results for updates on AI-related progress. AstraZeneca’s acquisitions and partnerships have featured in earnings commentary. Rolls-Royce and BAE have highlighted order books and technology investments.

Mining firms like Rio Tinto report on production volumes and market demand tied to technology infrastructure. Halma updates on sector-specific growth in safety and analytics.

The London Stock Exchange Group has faced questions over AI impacts on data services but reported resilient performance. Its platforms support trading and analytics that increasingly use AI enhancements.

FTSE 100 constituents collectively offer diversified exposure. While U.S. indices feature prominent AI leaders, the UK benchmark provides access to supporting industries and established multinationals.

Trading volumes and analyst coverage remain active for these names. Institutional investors track AI themes across sectors. Retail access occurs through standard brokerage accounts or index funds with FTSE 100 weighting.

As of May 2026, these stocks reflect ongoing developments in their respective fields. Company disclosures detail specific AI initiatives where applicable. Investors review latest financial statements and presentations for detailed exposure.

The FTSE 100’s composition favors established industries with AI adjacency. This structure has contributed to relative stability compared to more concentrated technology indices.

Further information is available through company websites, LSE announcements and regulatory bodies. Market data providers track performance metrics including price, volume and dividends.

Liverpool showcase at regeneration festival UKREiiiF in Leeds

Liverpool leaders at regeneration showcase UKREiiF say the city’s success shows that culture can drive regeneration – but only if cultural leaders are brought on board at the very start and not treated as afterthoughts.

The North West was represented in force at UKREiiF this year, with Manchester again taking on the landmark Canary building on Leeds Dock alongside Opportunity London, while Cumbria ran a prominent pavilion close to one of the event’s main entrances.

At the Liverpool pavilion meanwhile, guests and delegates including metro mayor Steve Rotheram talked investment and regeneration over americanos and lattes from Liverpool’s own bean coffee. Most delegations at UKREiiF had their own pin badges, including a Welsh dragon for Wales – Liverpool, of course, had mini golden Liver Bird badges.

Just before lunchtime, the pavilion hosted a discussion on “place-based” regeneration – how culture can help drive economic growth.

Patrick Nolan became chair of the new Imagine Liverpool regeneration board last year ahead of UKREiiF 20205. Mr Nolan, former vice chairman, HSBC Global Banking & Markets, began the event talking about two great examples of regeneration and culture coming together in Liverpool..

One, he said, was Everton’s new stadium on the Liverpool waterfront. “I’m a Red,” he said, “but I have to admit the new Hill Dickinson Stadium is just a terrific development.” He added that “It needed someone to take that move and build something really impressive” on that stretch of waterfront, and said the development would have an uplifting effect on North Liverpool and the area around.

He also said he was excited about the plans for a film and television production hub at the former Littlewoods complex in Edge Lane. The project has been long delayed, but Mr Nolan said: “We are in advanced stages on getting the finances for that”.

Kate Honey, director of social impact at Liverpool ONE owner Landsec, said her business aimed to think about cultural offerings whenever it built or took on a development. She said Landsec was already thinking about how it could work with Tate Liverpool when it reopens “to create a destination around arts and culture” at Liverpool One for visitors coming to and from the Albert Dock gallery.

Later the panel discussed the Taylor Town art installation, where an art trail was created across Liverpool ONE and the Albert Dock for the thousand of fans who came to the city for the pop superstar’s Eras concerts. That was led by social enterprise Make CIC, which was commissioned by Culture Liverpool and in turn worked with local artists and makers.

Laura Dyer, deputy chief executive for places, engagement and libraries at Arts Council England, said she would encourage developers to engage with their local cultural venues and organisations, adding: “I’d reflect on the way culture can also help regenerate communities and generate that sense of place and belonging.”

Mr Nolan later talked about the power of the Liverpool brand, and how the city region had to use it to encourage investment. The city region, he said, attracted many tourists and short-term visitors but “we need to make it a place where occupiers and investors want to come and build their careers and build their lives”.

He said Liverpool’s brand remained strong globally, saying that as he travelled around the world at HSBC “people never had a bad word to say about Liverpool”. But in the UK, there is still work to do.

“Down south it’s not quite as rosy as that,” he said. “We still have quite a few people with prejudiced historical views of the city. We’re changing that.”

He said the Imagine Liverpool board had been working with international investors and said: “What’s been critical is getting the narrative of Liverpool right.”

That, he said, means talking about the wide range of Liverpool success stories, from traditional industries such as automotive right through to modern growing sectors such as gaming. He said: “We can’t be all things to all people… we have to focus on what we do best.”

Ms Dyer from the Arts Council later spoke about how best to embed culture in regeneration schemes. She said the key for developers was to get cultural organisations in early, and not just to bring them in as a token gesture late in the process.

She said: “The best impact we see is when culture is at the table in those conversations from the very beginning.”

She said Liverpool had seen some very effective examples of co-operation between the public, private and cultural sectors, saying “ You see culture baked in.” The huge success of the city’s Eurovision hosting in 2023 was a prime example of that.

Ms Honey from Landsec later said community and cultural engagement was vital for all regeneration schemes. She said: “If you get it right you’re creating a place that ultimately drives economic value.”

Shares of pharma companies rallied up to 7% on Wednesday as strong earnings, a weakening rupee, and other supportive factors lifted investor sentiment, even as benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty traded in the red.

After opening lower, the Nifty Pharma index reversed losses and climbed nearly 1% to cross the 25,000 mark. The sectoral index also touched a fresh 52-week high of 25,043 during early trade before trimming some gains.

The Indian currency fell to 96.96 per dollar, breaching its all-time ‌low of 96.6150 ⁠hit ⁠in the previous session. The currency is down 6% since the Iran war began in late February. A falling rupee is typically considered a positive for the export-heavy pharma sector.

Top pharma gainers today

Zydus Lifesciences shares were the top gainers on the index, jumping over 7% to hit a fresh 52-week high of Rs 1,091 apiece on NSE after the pharma company reported a 9% year-on-year (YoY) rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,272.5 crore for the January-March quarter of FY26. Revenue from operations, meanwhile, rose more than 16% YoY to Rs 7,587 crore during the quarter under review.Along with the Q4 results, Zydus Lifesciences announced its biggest-ever share buyback worth Rs 1,100 crore via the tender route at a buyback price of Rs 1,150 per share, offering nearly a 13% premium over the stock’s previous closing price. Its board has also recommended a final dividend of Re 1 per share (100%) on a face value of Re 1 each, subject to shareholders’ approval at the company’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for August 11.

Mankind Pharma shares followed, surging over 3%. This comes after the company reported a 32% YoY rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 554 crore for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2026, from Rs 421 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The firm’s revenue from operations rose 12% YoY to Rs 3,443 crore during the quarter under review.
Laurus Labs, Aurobindo Pharma, and Biocon shares gained around 1% each, while those of Lupin, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Torrent Pharma, and Divi’s Laboratories were trading in the green with marginal gains, as seen at 11 am. Bucking the trend, however, Ajanta Pharma, Piramal Pharma, Gland Pharma, Dr Reddy’s Labs, Abbot India, Glenmark, Alkem Labs, and IPCA Labs shares fell up to 1%.

What lies ahead?

Nifty Pharma’s technical structure remains constructive after the index touched a fresh 52-week high today, according to Harshal Dasani, Business Head at INVasset PMS, who said that this is significant as it has come at a time when the broader market is still dealing with global risk-off pressure, currency weakness, and uneven earnings delivery. The relative strength in pharma counters suggests capital is rotating into sectors with better earnings visibility, not merely chasing momentum, he added.“The index has been forming a clear higher-high, higher-low pattern, and the latest breakout keeps the medium-term trend in favour of buyers as long as it holds above the recent breakout zone. The immediate support now sits around 24,700 to 24,800, while a stronger cushion is visible near 24,400. A close below that band would weaken the breakout and indicate profit-booking rather than trend continuation,” according to Dasani.

The risk-reward remains favourable, but the entry point is no longer fresh after a sharp move, the analyst said. “The cleaner setup would come on controlled pullbacks rather than vertical rallies. The key confirmation from here is breadth. If participation remains broad across large pharma, domestic formulations and speciality businesses, the breakout could extend. If leadership narrows, the index may pause before attempting the next leg,” he added.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

The shares of several smallcap and midcap companies tumbled in trade on Wednesday, as broader markets lost steam and plunged along with the benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty, after the rupee crashed to a fresh all-time low, bond yields scaled multi-year highs, and other factors dampened investor sentiment.

The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices sharply declined around 1% each after markets opened on Wednesday. However, the benchmarks soon pared some losses, and broader markets followed. At 10.30 am, the Nifty Smallcap 100 index was down 0.8%, while the Nifty Midcap 100 index was down 0.5%.

Top midcap losers today

PI Industries shares were the top midcap losers on the index, tumbling nearly 7% after its Q4 results. Motilal Oswal highlighted that the company reported weak operating performance due to adverse operating leverage. While the company’s Rs 1,570 crore revenue was in line with estimates, the domestic brokerage noted that the firm’s EBITDA, margins, net profit and other metrics were lower than expectations.Adani Total Gas shares declined over 3%, while Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL), Godfrey Phillips India, Coromandel International, Bharat Dynamics and AU Small Finance Bank shares dropped more than 2% each.

NMDC, HUDCO, Godrej Properties, M&M Finance, SAIL, L&T Finance, Kalyan Jewellers, Patanjali Foods and Prestige Estates shares followed, falling nearly 2% each.

Top smallcap losers today

Hindustan Copper shares plunged nearly 4%, leading losses on the Nifty Smallcap 100 index as well as the Nifty Metal index. The shares of the company have tumbled by over 7% in one week.Cholamandalam Financial Holdings and Cohance Lifesciences shares have fallen more than 3% each, while those of Karur Vysya Bank, Devyani International and Jyoti CNC Automation fell nearly 3% each.

The shares of IDBI Bank, Inox Wind, Poonawalla Fincorp, Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals, Pine Labs, Amber Enterprises India, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, PG Electroplast, The Ramco Cements, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company and JM Financial followed, dropping more than 2% each.

What lies ahead?

The smallcaps and midcaps have been outperforming their largecap peers recently, although the streak broke today. Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments, had said that the recent outperformance was driven by renewed buying interest after a meaningful correction.

“While fourth-quarter earnings continue to underscore the resilience of domestic economic momentum, market focus is increasingly pivoting towards mounting inflationary pressures. Concerns over potential earnings downgrades for Q1FY27 are gaining traction, driven by higher-than-anticipated WPI readings, the gradual pass-through of elevated fuel prices, and persistently firm bond yields,” he added.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Helen Godwin tells UK regeneration conference that region needs to talk itself up

The West of England needs to bring its swagger and shout about its success as the country’s fastest-growing economy – that was the message from West of England mayor Helen Godwin at regeneration showcase UKREIIF. And she also asked businesses to help the region develop its skills strategy to make sure the area can develop a skilled workforce for the future.

The mayor led an all-female panel at the event to promote the region’s economic success in a week when it launched an investment prospectus with £17bn worth of economic opportunities from Bristol Temple Quarter to Brabazon & the West Innovation Arc new town in South Gloucestershire and north Bristol.

Delegates were offered tote bags declaring the West of England is “the fastest-growing regional economy”. The mayor began by highlighting the region’s track record of economic growth. She joked: “I know that others are claiming that title but we are having it!”

Ms Godwin emphasised that the region had always been successful, with a diverse economy that contributed strongly to UK GDP, but that the West now needed to make more of that success.

She said: “We find ourselves in a really good spot. But what we haven’t been so good at… is that we are relatively laid back and relatively humble.”

And she added: “What we haven’t done is gone out there with swagger and talked ourselves up like others have”.

The West has “got away with it” so far, Ms Godwin said, but faced with competition from other dynamic city regions it now needs to push its success in areas including innovation, invention, national security and food security. She said it was a region with a skilled and divers population where people wanted to live, and that: “We are really important to this country’s story.”

Other panellists echoed the mayor’s call for the region to do more to promote itself.

Jessica Lee, director of policy and strategy at the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), said the region’s stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors were now working together and had a clearer strategy for success than in the past. And she said: “Everyone else is talking themselves up so we should do the same thing”

Annabel Smith is leading the development of those partnerships between sectors in her new role as director of strategic partnerships and stakeholders at Weca.

She said that by working together, organisations throughout the region could help turn “the West of England plc” into a “globally significant brand”.

Panel host Jo Dally, chief business officer at NCC and co-chair of the West of England Business Board, praised the way people had come together to promote the region’s success. And she said “the vibrancy and the difference in this room is a testimony to how far we’ve come” as a region.

Later, Ms Godwin talked about the importance of making sure all people in the region had the opportunities for work, and said sectors such as care and education should not be neglected. She said there was still much work to be done to tackle child poverty, and said she wanted

Ms Lee talked about the development of the region’s skills strategy, which will include a focus on helping people access skills training throughout their working life to enable them to switch careers.

The panel discussed how people in the West needed to be able to access opportunities created by economic growth, which would also need to include improved transport links. Ms Smith said there had been a “significant shift” in conversations about potential mass transit for the region.

The panel also talked about the success of the West Innovation Arc, and about companies ranging from innovative SMEs to global giants including Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

The mayor said the region also needed to see more commercial space developed to house its success stories. She said the area was good at producing university spin-out firms, “but what we’re not so good at is keeping them in the region”

She said there was also a need for more housing, with “ridiculous” high prices in places such as Bath making it hard for people to move to those areas.

Asked how businesses could help her and the combined authority to deliver growth, Ms Godwin said employers and businesses could “get on board” with the upcoming skills strategy.

She said employers were coming to Weca to say young people were not “work ready” after leaving education, so the authority needed businesses to detail what those skills gaps are so providers can make changes to create a “workforce of the future”.

She said she as mayor had a good relationship with cabinet and government and could push for change. And she said: “Talk to us about what you’d like to see”.

Panellists later returned to the theme of promoting the West’s success. Ms Smith talked about the power of building a consensus, and of going to government with a unified message. And she said the region can’t build that narrative “if all our partners aren’t pulling in behind us and sharing that narrative”.

Ms Lee added: “We’ve got a really strong story here… and we all need to be sharing it consistently.”