U.K. equities ended higher on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 gaining 0.13% as gains in mining, automobiles and industrial metals offset declines in healthcare and defense sectors.
The London benchmark closed at 8,450.20, reflecting a modest advance after a mixed session. Advancers outnumbered decliners by 919 to 755, with 577 issues unchanged.
Mining stocks led the advance, with Fresnillo PLC surging 7.83% to 3,085.00, adding 224 points. Croda International PLC climbed 5.25% to 3,270.00, while Glencore PLC rose 5.24% to 580.10. The gains in these names contributed materially to the index’s performance.
Healthcare and defense names weighed on the index. Smith & Nephew PLC fell 3.78% to 1,068.50, marking a 52-week low. BAE Systems PLC declined 2.92% to 2,160.00, and National Grid PLC dropped 2.64% to 1,179.00.
Commodities extended gains alongside equities. December gold futures rose 3.04% to $4,555.05 per troy ounce, while October Brent crude climbed 1.56% to $92.44 per barrel. The British pound strengthened 0.57% against the U.S. dollar to 1.36.
The FTSE 100’s advance followed broader market strength in Europe, where gains in commodity-linked sectors offset softness in defensive segments.
