The U.K. stock market had a mixed performance on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 Index closing at 7,682.33, down 0.51%.
Decreases in Stock Prices
Among the FTSE 100 constituents, mining company Anglo American PLC saw the largest decrease, with shares declining by 5.04%. Other companies that experienced significant declines were diversified business services firm Rentokil Initial PLC (down 4.95%) and closed-end funds company Pershing Square Holdings Ltd. (down 3.98%). Technical services company Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC and non-ferrous metals company Antofagasta PLC also saw their stocks decline by 3.61% and 3.57% respectively.
Increases in Stock Prices
On the other hand, GSK PLC, a pharmaceuticals company, saw the largest increase among the FTSE 100 constituents, with shares rising by 2.74%. Defense equipment/products firm BAE Systems PLC and food retail company Tesco PLC also experienced gains of 1.61% and 1.60% respectively. Pharmaceuticals company Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC and food retail company J Sainsbury PLC rounded out the top five largest increases, with their stocks rallying by 1.54% and 1.51% respectively.
Currency and Commodity Movements
The pound strengthened against the dollar, rising by 0.18% to $1.2642, and also gained against the euro, increasing by 0.49% to €1.1590.
Brent crude oil prices rallied by 2.7% to reach $77.97 per barrel, while the yield on the 10-year gilt fell by 0.440 basis points to 3.641%.
