The FTSE 100 closes just below a key market milestone after a strong week of trading. Several banks and financial stocks drive gains, with NatWest standing out among the biggest risers. The Independent reports NatWest rises about 3.2% after the company raises its guidance for 2026, contributing to the index’s overall improvement during the session and over the week. Other sources describe the same overall outcome—an end-of-day level slightly under the milestone—without introducing conflicting details about the drivers of the move. Across coverage, the emphasis remains on broad market strength across the week and the role of positive company-specific developments, particularly NatWest’s guidance update, in supporting the index. No additional specific figures beyond NatWest’s rise and the overall index result are provided in the information supplied by the sources.