U.K. stocks moved higher after the close on Friday, driven by gains in the Beverage, Tobacco and Construction & Materials sectors. At the London close, the United Kingdom 100 rose 0.59% and marked a new all-time high.
The leading contributors to the index's advance included Diageo PLC (LON:DGE), which climbed 3.90% - a rise of 69.50 points - to finish at 1,851.00. Miners also showed strength, with Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) adding 3.02% or 117.00 points to settle at 3,992.00. In the tobacco space, British American Tobacco PLC (LON:BATS) advanced 2.15%, up 96.00 points to 4,569.00 by the close.
Not all large-cap names participated in the rally. Packaging company Smurfit WestRock PLC (LON:SWR) was among the session's weakest performers, losing 3.80% or 144.00 points to trade at 3,643.00 at the close. Energy major BP PLC (LON:BP) declined 2.38%, down 11.40 points to 467.60, while food and retail group Associated British Foods PLC (LON:ABF) fell 1.16% or 23.00 points to end at 1,953.50.
Market breadth on the London Stock Exchange showed more advancing names than decliners, with 1,146 stocks rising compared with 616 that fell. An additional 543 issues finished unchanged.
Commodities and currencies registered mixed results. Gold Futures for April delivery rose 1.87% or 93.65 to reach $5,091.05 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery ticked down 0.14% or 0.09 to $66.31 a barrel, while the April Brent contract slipped 0.04% or 0.03 to trade at $71.63 a barrel.
Foreign-exchange benchmarks were relatively stable. GBP/USD was unchanged 0.19% at 1.35, and EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.14% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.12% at 97.74.
Market takeaway
- Equity indices: The United Kingdom 100 closed higher by 0.59%, reaching a record closing level.
- Sector drivers: Gains were concentrated in Beverage, Tobacco and Construction & Materials names.
- Market breadth: Advancers outnumbered decliners, with 1,146 rising, 616 falling and 543 unchanged.
Notable movers
- Diageo PLC (LON:DGE) - +3.90% to 1,851.00.
- Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) - +3.02% to 3,992.00.
- British American Tobacco PLC (LON:BATS) - +2.15% to 4,569.00.
- Smurfit WestRock PLC (LON:SWR) - -3.80% to 3,643.00.
- BP PLC (LON:BP) - -2.38% to 467.60.
- Associated British Foods PLC (LON:ABF) - -1.16% to 1,953.50.
Commodities and currencies
- Gold Futures (April) - up 1.87% to $5,091.05 a troy ounce.
- Crude Oil (April) - down 0.14% to $66.31 a barrel.
- Brent Oil (April) - down 0.04% to $71.63 a barrel.
- GBP/USD - unchanged 0.19% at 1.35; EUR/GBP - unchanged 0.14% at 0.87.
- US Dollar Index Futures - down 0.12% at 97.74.
This close paints a picture of selective strength across the market, with beverage, tobacco and construction-related names helping push the headline index to a record. At the same time, several sizeable constituents moved lower, leaving market breadth positive but not uniformly broad-based.