UK Shares Bounce Back; Metlen Energy Tops FTSE 100

11:53 AM EST, 12/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- British equities were flat on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 closing 0.24% higher, recovering from a marginal decline in the previous session. While newsflow was slow before Christmas, Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN.L) announced the completion of the sale of four solar projects and a co-located battery energy storage system in Chile for $865 million. The industrial and energy company rose 6.80% to become the blue-chip index's top performer. "The completion of this landmark transaction showcases our strong execution capabilities in the [Latin America] region as well as METLEN's unique ability to offer an integrated value proposition to the investor community under its Asset Rotation Plan," said Nikos Papapetrou, the chief executive director of Metlen's renewables and energy transition platform. "With Chile being a frontrunner for long-duration [battery energy storage systems], we are leveraging our knowledge across development, design, engineering and construction capabilities to create long-term value in the rapidly changing global renewable energy landscape." Meanwhile, Pets at Home Group (PETS.L) appointed James Bailey as chief executive officer, effective March 30, 2026. The British pet care company's executive chair, Ian Burke, will go back to his nonexecutive chair role after Bailey assumes the position. Pets at Home was down 0.10%. In other news, Britain signed bilateral fisheries deals for 2026 with Norway and the Faroe Islands, valued at 8 million pounds sterling in UK landing prices. "These agreements deliver tangible benefits for our fishing communities and will bring in approximately 840 million [pounds] in fishing opportunities for UK fishers in 2026," according to a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.