UK stocks dipped Dec. 16 on weak jobs data, though IG Group hit a record high on buyback and growth.

UK stocks opened lower on December 16, 2025, after weak jobs data fueled growth concerns, dragging down the FTSE 100. Defence and oil shares fell, while IG Group surged to a record high on a £75 million buyback, strong US revenue growth, and the Freetrade acquisition. Sovereign Metals rose after securing an IFC agreement for its Malawi project. Touchstar plunged on a profit warning citing economic pressures and transformation costs. Goodwin PLC reported a profit doubling but saw shares drop amid a large interim dividend. Oriole Resources advanced its Cameroon gold project with a new economic assessment, and Tertiary Minerals made progress on a JORC-compliant target in Zambia.