U.K. stock markets finished the trading day lower on Monday, closing with a mild overall decline as losses in the Chemicals, Software & Computer Services and Fixed Line Telecommunications sectors outweighed gains elsewhere.
By the market close in London the United Kingdom 100 index fell 0.12% from its prior settlement.
Among individual stocks, JD Sports Fashion PLC (LON:JD) was the top performer on the index, gaining 3.38% - a rise of 2.64 points to finish at 80.82. Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) also produced a notable advance, adding 3.17% or 122.00 points to close at 3,976.00. Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LON:MKS) rounded out the leading movers with a 2.47% increase, up 9.80 points to 406.90 in late trade.
On the downside, Smurfit WestRock PLC (LON:SWR) posted the sharpest decline on the session, dropping 8.51% - down 310.00 points to 3,333.00 at the close. ICG PLC (LON:ICGIN) slid 4.95% or 86.00 points to end the day at 1,652.00. Flutter Entertainment PLC (LON:FLTRF) fell 4.37% - a decline of 394.00 points to 8,620.00 - and the stock reached new three-year lows during the session.
Market breadth favored decliners: falling issues outnumbered advancing ones on the London Stock Exchange by 985 to 783, while 537 stocks finished unchanged.
Commodities moved unevenly. Gold Futures for April delivery registered a substantial gain, rising 2.90% or 147.24 to $5,228.14 a troy ounce. By contrast, crude oil prices eased: April delivery for U.S. crude fell 0.27% or 0.18 to $66.30 a barrel, while the May Brent contract slipped 0.28% or 0.20 to trade at $71.10 a barrel.
Currency pairs showed limited movement. GBP/USD was unchanged 0.13% to 1.35, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.06% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures moved lower, down 0.22% to 97.52.
Market context and takeaways
- Index-level decline was modest, but select sector weakness - specifically Chemicals, Software & Computer Services and Fixed Line Telecommunications - underpinned the session's losses.
- Individual stock volatility was pronounced: several names rose more than 3%, while others declined by similar magnitudes, including one reaching a three-year low.
- Commodities and FX showed divergent moves, with gold rallying strongly even as oil prices fell slightly and major currency pairs remained relatively flat.