Shares on the London market finished the session in positive territory on Monday, with gains concentrated in the utilities and automobiles sectors helping drive the benchmark higher.
At the close in London, the United Kingdom 100 index was up 1.66%.
The top performers on the index included London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LON:LSEG), which gained 4.32% - an increase of 356.00 points - to finish at 8,602.00. Centrica PLC (LON:CNA) added 4.26%, or 8.60 points, closing at 210.50. Land Securities Group PLC (LON:LAND) rose 3.76%, a 20.00-point move, to end the day at 552.00.
On the downside, Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) led laggards with a decline of 3.22% - down 105.00 points - to 3,161.00 at the close. Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTYV) fell 2.39%, a drop of 8.20 points, to close at 334.40. International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (LON:ICAG) slipped 1.88%, or 6.70 points, finishing at 349.50.
Market breadth in London favored advancing issues, with 959 stocks rising versus 862 decliners, while 491 were unchanged at the close.
Vistry Group shares dropped to a five-year low during the session, falling 2.39% or 8.20 points to 334.40.
Commodity markets moved higher alongside equities. Gold futures for June delivery increased 1.06%, up 48.10 to $4,572.40 per troy ounce. Oil saw notable gains: crude for May delivery rose 3.95% or 3.94 to $103.58 a barrel, and the June Brent contract climbed 2.47% or 2.60 to $107.92 a barrel.
In currency trading, the British pound weakened against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD down 0.54% to 1.32. EUR/GBP was effectively unchanged, moving 0.05% to 0.87. The U.S. Dollar Index futures were higher as well, up 0.39% at 100.37.
Overall, the session closed with widespread gains across several sectors, led by electrical, gas, water & multiutilities and automobiles & parts. Commodity prices and dollar strength were also notable features of the day’s market action.