FTSE 100 edges up as US tech stocks slide on AI spending concerns

The FTSE 100 closed slightly higher on Friday, but US tech stocks plunged amid concerns over artificial intelligence spending. London's index rose 0.1% to 10,729.78, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.7% and the S&P 500 dropped 1.6%. Tech-linked firms in Europe also suffered, with Siemens Energy, Infineon Technologies, and Hochtief weighing on Frankfurt's DAX 40, which fell 0.9%. In London, Polar Capital Technology and Computacenter each shed 6.0%. Analysts cited an "AI reality check" as investor sentiment shifts. Elsewhere, NatWest fell 8.8% on net interest margin guidance, while AstraZeneca rose 7.0% on strong results. Mobico climbed 12% after agreeing to a £308 million takeover. Brent oil rose to $117.61 a barrel, while gold fell to its weakest level in over a year.