London Market Ends Slightly Higher as Mining and Metals Stocks Lead Gains

U.K. equities closed marginally higher on Monday, with strength concentrated in mining and related materials names. The Investing.com United Kingdom 100 ended the session up 0.06% as a handful of miners moved to new record levels and other large-cap stocks posted notable declines. Broader market breadth favored advancers, while commodities and currency markets showed mixed moves.

Key Points

The Investing.com United Kingdom 100 closed up 0.06%, led by gains in Mining, Industrial Metals & Mining and Electrical sectors.
Fresnillo PLC and Antofagasta PLC both reached all-time highs, while Auto Trader Group Plc and Experian PLC fell to multi-period lows.
Market breadth favored advancing stocks with 1,022 winners, 772 losers and 505 unchanged; commodities and currency moves were mixed.

U.K. stocks finished the trading day higher on Monday, driven by gains in mining, industrial metals and electrical-related shares. At the close in London, the Investing.com United Kingdom 100 advanced 0.06%.

Among the leading individual performers, Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) climbed 6.72% - a gain of 280.00 points - finishing the session at 4,448.00. Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) added 5.33%, or 191.00 points, to close at 3,775.00. Smurfit WestRock PLC (LON:SWR) was also among the top risers, increasing 5.14% - 157.00 points - to end the day at 3,211.00.

On the downside, 3I Group PLC (LON:III) led decliners, falling 5.14% - a drop of 169.00 points - to 3,120.00 at the close. Auto Trader Group Plc (LON:AUTOA) declined 3.41%, or 19.40 points, to finish at 549.00, while Experian PLC (LON:EXPN) slipped 3.20% - down 97.00 points - to 2,932.00.

Market breadth on the London Stock Exchange favored advancing issues, with 1,022 stocks rising against 772 that fell. A total of 505 listings finished unchanged.

Several notable price milestones were recorded during the session. Shares of Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) and Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) rose to all-time highs, each closing at their respective peaks reported above. Conversely, Auto Trader Group Plc (LON:AUTOA) hit a three-year low at 549.00, and Experian PLC (LON:EXPN) fell to a 52-week low, closing at 2,932.00.

Commodities markets showed mixed moves alongside the equity trading. Gold futures for April delivery rose 2.17%, gaining 108.84 to trade at $5,125.84 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for March delivery eased 0.39% - down 0.24 - to $60.83 a barrel, while the April Brent contract fell 0.25%, or 0.16, to $64.91 a barrel.

Currency markets moved modestly during the session. The British pound strengthened against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD up 0.37% to 1.37. EUR/GBP was effectively unchanged, moving 0.12% to 0.87. The U.S. Dollar Index futures declined 0.64% to 96.78.

Overall, the market saw concentrated gains among materials and mining-related names that were sufficient to lift the headline index slightly higher, even as several large-cap stocks recorded notable declines and fresh lows.

Market snapshot

Investing.com United Kingdom 100: +0.06%
Top gainers: Fresnillo PLC, Antofagasta PLC, Smurfit WestRock PLC
Top losers: 3I Group PLC, Auto Trader Group Plc, Experian PLC

Risks

Price volatility in commodities - gold and oil moved during the session - which can influence mining and materials sector performance.
Significant declines in select large-cap names indicate potential stock-specific risks that may affect sector indices and investor sentiment.
Currency fluctuations, such as moves in GBP/USD and the U.S. Dollar Index futures, could add uncertainty for exporters and internationally exposed companies.

Menu

Key Points

Risks

More from Stock Markets