Following a two-day pause for the Christmas holidays, UK stocks showed little movement on Friday. The FTSE 100 index edged down slightly, closing at 8,130.70, in a day marked by limited economic developments.
Notably, energy firms like BP Plc experienced a 0.3% increase, with Shell showing a slight uptick as well. The rise in oil prices contributed to this trend, buoyed by the anticipation of economic stimulation measures that are expected to fuel a recovery in China, which holds the position as the world's second-largest economy.
Conversely, the mining sector faced pressure, with iron ore prices dropping to their lowest in over five weeks—below $100 per ton—following lackluster industrial profit data from China. Anglo American saw a decline of 1.4%, while Glencore and Antofagasta each fell by approximately 0.5%.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com
Notably, energy firms like BP Plc experienced a 0.3% increase, with Shell showing a slight uptick as well. The rise in oil prices contributed to this trend, buoyed by the anticipation of economic stimulation measures that are expected to fuel a recovery in China, which holds the position as the world's second-largest economy.
Conversely, the mining sector faced pressure, with iron ore prices dropping to their lowest in over five weeks—below $100 per ton—following lackluster industrial profit data from China. Anglo American saw a decline of 1.4%, while Glencore and Antofagasta each fell by approximately 0.5%.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com