U.K. stocks finished the session higher on Friday, propelled by strength in banking, healthcare equipment and beverage names. The Investing.com United Kingdom 100 index closed up 0.60% as a number of large-cap constituents posted notable moves.
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON:LLOY) was the standout, climbing 3.32% or 3.50 points to end the day at 108.95. The bank's shares reached five-year highs in the session. Other prominent risers included Smith & Nephew PLC (LON:SN), which added 2.35% or 28.50 points to finish at 1,242.00, and Experian PLC (LON:EXPN), which gained 2.34% or 63.00 points to close at 2,758.00.
On the downside, Airtel Africa Plc (LON:AAF) led losses after falling 6.61% or 22.60 points to 319.20 at the close. Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) dropped 5.08% or 198.00 points to finish at 3,702.00 and Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) declined 3.65% or 138.00 points to 3,648.00.
Market breadth on the London Stock Exchange was tilted slightly toward advancers, with 933 stocks rising, 844 declining and 530 unchanged at the close.
Commodities and currencies showed mixed moves alongside equities. Gold futures for April delivery fell 7.24% or 387.70 to $4,967.10 per troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for March delivery rose 0.50% or 0.33 to $65.75 a barrel, while the April Brent contract increased 0.43% or 0.30 to trade at $69.89 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, the pound slipped against the dollar with GBP/USD down 0.65% to 1.37. EUR/GBP was effectively unchanged, moving 0.10% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.64% to 96.75.
Summary of notable moves:
- Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON:LLOY) - up 3.32% to 108.95, reaching five-year highs.
- Smith & Nephew PLC (LON:SN) - up 2.35% to 1,242.00.
- Experian PLC (LON:EXPN) - up 2.34% to 2,758.00.
- Airtel Africa Plc (LON:AAF) - down 6.61% to 319.20.
- Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) - down 5.08% to 3,702.00.
- Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) - down 3.65% to 3,648.00.
The session reflected sector concentration in gains and losses, with financials and healthcare-related equipment names supporting the headline index while select miners and Africa-focused stocks underperformed. Overall, the market closed with more winners than losers, and key commodity and currency markets moved in mixed directions.