U.K. stocks finished the trading day higher on Monday, with the benchmark index climbing 1.66% as strength in utility and automotive-related names helped push the market upward.
The Investing.com United Kingdom 100 ended the session up 1.66%.
Among individual performers, London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LON:LSEG) was the top gainer, finishing 4.32% higher - a rise of 356.00 points to close at 8,602.00. Centrica PLC (LON:CNA) added 4.26%, or 8.60 points, to reach 210.50 at the close. Land Securities Group PLC (LON:LAND) also outperformed, gaining 3.76% or 20.00 points to end the day at 552.00.
On the downside, Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) fell 3.22% - a drop of 105.00 points - to close at 3,161.00. Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTYV) declined 2.39% or 8.20 points to 334.40. International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (LON:ICAG) slipped 1.88%, a loss of 6.70 points, to finish at 349.50.
Market breadth was tilted toward advancers with 959 stocks rising versus 862 that fell on the London Stock Exchange. A further 491 issues finished unchanged.
Vistry Group PLC reached a five-year low during the session, with its shares falling 2.39% to 334.40.
Commodities and currency markets moved alongside equities. Gold futures for June delivery increased 1.06%, rising 48.10 to $4,572.40 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for May delivery climbed 3.95% or 3.94 to $103.58 a barrel, while the June Brent contract was up 2.47%, adding 2.60 to trade at $107.92 a barrel.
On currency markets, GBP/USD was down 0.54% at 1.32. EUR/GBP was essentially flat, changing 0.05% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.39% to 100.37.