U.K. equities closed the week in negative territory on Friday, led lower by declines in the Automobiles & Parts, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech and Aerospace & Defense sectors.
At the close in London, the United Kingdom 100 fell 0.74%.
Among the session's strongest performers, Flutter Entertainment PLC (LON:FLTRF) rose 2.84% or 224.00 points to trade at 8,120.00 at the close. British American Tobacco PLC (LON:BATS) added 2.28% or 96.00 points to finish at 4,302.00, while InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (LON:IHG) advanced 2.17% or 3.10 points to close at 146.00 in late trade.
On the downside, Mondi PLC (LON:MNDI) fell 11.12% or 93.60 points to 748.20 at the close, a drop that pushed the stock to 5-year lows. Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) declined 3.79% or 145.00 points to end at 3,686.00, and AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) was down 3.70% or 536.00 points to 13,956.00.
Market breadth in London showed more decliners than advancers - falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the London Stock Exchange by 1115 to 637, and 530 issues finished unchanged.
Commodities traded with mixed signals. Gold Futures for June delivery was up 0.30% or 14.21 to $4,738.21 a troy ounce. By contrast, crude oil for delivery in June lost 1.99% or 1.91 to hit $93.94 a barrel, while the June Brent oil contract fell 0.21% or 0.22 to trade at $104.85 a barrel.
Currency markets were relatively stable. GBP/USD was unchanged 0.27% to 1.35, and EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.03% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.20% at 98.40.
Market context
Friday's trading session saw select consumer and leisure names outperform while industrial and resource-related stocks exerted downward pressure on the broader index. The large drop in Mondi stands out for its magnitude and for marking a multi-year low for the stock.
Movements in commodities and the currency complex were mixed, with gold rising modestly as oil prices moved lower on the day.
Data snapshot
- United Kingdom 100 -0.74% at close
- Best performers: Flutter Entertainment PLC (LON:FLTRF) +2.84%, British American Tobacco PLC (LON:BATS) +2.28%, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (LON:IHG) +2.17%
- Largest declines: Mondi PLC (LON:MNDI) -11.12%, Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) -3.79%, AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) -3.70%
- Market breadth: 1115 decliners, 637 advancers, 530 unchanged
- Gold (June) +0.30% to $4,738.21/oz; Crude Oil (June) -1.99% to $93.94/bbl; Brent (June) -0.21% to $104.85/bbl
- GBP/USD 1.35, EUR/GBP 0.87, US Dollar Index Futures 98.40