FTSE Close: UK stocks close higher as China boost lifts miners
London shares ended higher on Wednesday, lifted by strong PMI data and Chinese bank capital relief measures which boosted commodity stocks.
The FTSE 100 closed up 0.6% at 7,527.67. The FTSE 250 rose 0.9% to 19,171.68, while the AIM All-Share added 0.8% to finish at 744.85.
Miners were among the top gainers, with Antofagasta jumping 5.5%, Anglo American climbing 4.0%, and Fresnillo rising 4.7% after meeting production guidance. Rio Tinto added 1.6%. Rio agreed to purchase renewable power from Upper Calliope solar farm for its Gladstone operations.
EasyJet jumped 3.2% despite a £40 million hit from the Israel-Hamas conflict. The carrier narrowed first-quarter losses on a 14% passenger increase.
Asset manager abrdn advanced 2.3% as it outlined plans to cut costs by £150 million annually. This includes slashing 500 jobs across the business.
Revolution Bars plummeted 22% as the bar operator said its recovery will take longer than forecast amid pressure on younger consumers from the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.
FTSE All Share Risers
Diversified Energy: 11.54% Tullow Oil: 10.73% Hochschild: 7.55% AJ Bell: 5.99% Pensionbee: 5.4% Antofagasta: 5.32% PureTech: 5.26% Centamin PLC: 5.16% International Distributions Services: 5.08% Trustpilot: 5%
FTSE All Share Fallers
Ceres Power: -15.1% Senior: -6.67% Funding Circle: -4.15% S & U: -4.11% Capital & Regional: -3.57% Augmentum Fint.: -3.5% Close Bros: -2.99% Videndum Plc: -2.98% Henry Boot: -2.89% Foxtons: -2.77%
