U.K. stocks ended lower after Monday's trading session, weighed down by declines in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), the broader real estate sector and household goods & home construction names.
The United Kingdom 100 closed down 0.26% and recorded a new one-month low at the session's end.
Among the best-performing constituents, Shell PLC (LON:SHEL) led gains - up 2.36% or 74.00 points to finish at 3,207.00. BP PLC (LON:BP) also posted a strong showing, rising 2.23% or 11.10 points to close at 510.00. Defence contractor BAE Systems PLC (LON:BAES) advanced 2.03% or 45.00 points to end the day at 2,259.00.
On the downside, Smurfit WestRock PLC (LON:SWR) recorded the steepest fall, sliding 7.14% or 232.00 points to 3,017.00 at the close. Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTYV) declined 5.87% or 26.30 points to 421.90, while homebuilder Persimmon PLC (LON:PSN) fell 5.49% or 71.00 points to 1,223.50.
Market breadth on the London Stock Exchange was markedly negative, with 1,404 stocks falling versus 489 advancing. A further 417 issues finished unchanged.
Notable intra-session milestones included Shell PLC reaching all-time highs as it climbed 2.36% or 74.00 to 3,207.00. BP PLC moved up to 52-week highs with its 2.23% or 11.10 increase to 510.00. Conversely, Vistry Group hit a five-year low following its 5.87% or 26.30 decline to 421.90.
Commodities showed divergent moves. Gold futures for April delivery slipped 0.92% or 47.31 to trade at $5,111.39 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery jumped 4.04% or 3.67 to $94.57 a barrel, and the May Brent contract climbed 7.48% or 6.93 to settle at $99.62 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, the British pound was essentially flat against the U.S. dollar - GBP/USD changed by 0.17% to 1.34. The EUR/GBP cross also showed minimal movement, unchanged by 0.09% to 0.87. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures ticked up 0.10% to 99.07.
Summary of session characteristics:
- Sectors most responsible for the decline - REITs, Real Estate and Household Goods & Home Construction.
- Energy names outperformed, with Shell and BP posting multi-period highs.
- Market breadth strongly favored decliners, with 1,404 falling stocks versus 489 gainers.