EasyJet (EZJ.L) Soars 10% as FTSE 100 Slips on Takeover Approach

EasyJet (EZJ.L) shares jumped 10% on June 1, 2026, after the budget airline confirmed receiving a preliminary takeover approach, propelling the stock to the top of a subdued FTSE 100. The blue-chip index edged 0.2% lower to 8,215.33, weighed by broader caution ahead of central bank meetings. The disclosure from EasyJet, which did not name the potential suitor, sparked the sharpest single-day gain for the carrier since November 2024. Trading volumes were more than three times the daily average. Analysts at Jefferies noted that any formal offer would likely need to be pitched at a "significant premium" to current levels, given the airline's strong slot portfolio at key European airports and a recovery in leisure travel demand. The surge provided a bright spot in an otherwise listless London market, where miners and energy stocks dragged. Investors are bracing for policy signals from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England later this week.