India, July 6 -- UK stocks edged slightly higher in early trade this morning, extending gains from the previous week's strong close. The benchmark FTSE 100 rose cautiously by around 0.26%, holding near recent four-month highs. Among key movers, easyJet surged nearly 10% after reports of a £5.5 billion takeover bid, while ITV also saw notable activity following news of a £1.6 billion broadcasting deal involving Sky. Investors remain focused on balancing corporate deal momentum with broader global risks, including developments in Ukraine and Iran as well as fresh OPEC+ production adjustments. Meanwhile, expectations for UK interest rate cuts remain subdued, with markets largely pricing in a Bank of England pause for July.

UK Stoc...