U.K. stocks closed modestly lower on Thursday, with the benchmark losing ground as sector declines in Mining, Healthcare Equipment & Services and Software & Computer Services exerted downward pressure.
The United Kingdom 100 closed the session down 0.12%.
At the individual stock level, the session produced a mix of winners and losers. The strongest performers on the index were:
- Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (LON:HIK) - up 6.09% or 80.50 points to 1,402.50 at the close.
- Anglo American PLC (LON:AAL) - up 4.08% or 148.00 points to 3,777.00.
- Melrose Industries PLC (LON:MRON) - up 1.92% or 9.60 points to 509.60.
On the downside, the weakest names were:
- Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) - down 6.39% or 234.00 points to 3,426.00 at the close.
- Legal & General Group PLC (LON:LGEN) - down 5.57% or 14.95 points to 253.65.
- Sage Group PLC (LON:SGE) - down 3.90% or 36.00 points to 888.20.
Market breadth on the London Stock Exchange showed more decliners than advancers, with 1,074 stocks falling versus 671 advancing, and 542 finishing unchanged.
Commodities displayed divergent moves during the session. Gold futures for June delivery fell 0.35% or 16.44 to settle at $4,736.56 a troy ounce. In contrast, energy contracts rose: crude oil for June delivery gained 1.60% or 1.49 to $94.45 a barrel, while the June Brent contract increased 1.55% or 1.58 to $103.49 a barrel.
In currency and index futures trading, GBP/USD was unchanged 0.15% at 1.35, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.05% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.08% at 98.49.
Summary of session highlights:
- Benchmark: United Kingdom 100 closed down 0.12%.
- Top gainers: Hikma, Anglo American, Melrose.
- Top decliners: Fresnillo, Legal & General, Sage.
- Commodities: gold lower; crude and Brent oil higher.
- Market breadth: 1,074 fallers, 671 gainers, 542 unchanged.