Top FTSE 100 shares to watch next week: Lloyds, Barclays, GSK, Natwest

The piece previews catalysts for the UK 100 (FTSE 100) next week, highlighting the UK bank earnings season (Barclays first, then Lloyds, Standard Chartered, NatWest and HSBC on May 5) and a Bank of England rate decision after a hotter-than-expected UK inflation print (March CPI 3.3%). Banks are expected to benefit from firmer rates and elevated trading/dealmaking activity; Barclays is recommended as a buy ahead of results. Energy name BP is flagged as likely to report strong guidance amid a crude oil rally and has a new CEO, supporting the sector. The FTSE 100 recently pulled back to 10,365 from 10,687, and stock-specific technical risks—double-top patterns at AstraZeneca and GSK—could temper moves. Overall, the article frames next week’s data and results as key drivers for FTSE 100 direction, with upside bias on higher rates and oil but risks if volatility, deal flow or oil reverse.