London stocks dipped slightly ahead of New Year, amid quiet trading and ongoing Ukraine talks.

London stocks edged lower as markets remained quiet ahead of the New Year, with the FTSE 100 falling 0.1% on limited news. The Ukraine conflict remained in focus following a meeting between Trump and Zelensky, with progress noted but key issues unresolved. International Personal Finance accepted a £543 million takeover offer with a 31% premium. M&S, Novo Nordisk, and Nvidia were named top stocks to watch in 2026, citing recovery efforts, supply improvements, and AI leadership as key drivers.