UK stocks climbed on Thursday as investors digested Fed comments and US jobs data. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.5% to 7,975.89, with Entain surging 5% after naming Stella David as its new chair.
The headline came as the gambling firm continues its search for a permanent CEO following Jette Nygaard-Andersen’s exit in December. David will replace Barry Gibson by September, though he could depart sooner.
Miners had a positive day, with Antofagasta up 4.7%, Fresnillo adding 3.2% and Anglo American 3.1% higher. Oil giants diverged as Shell gained 0.6% while BP slipped 0.8%.
The FTSE 250 climbed 0.6% to 19,873.10, boosted by Future which soared 14% after forecasting it would meet expectations driven by a Q2 return to organic revenue growth at Go Compare and resilience in magazines offsetting digital advertising woes.
Small-cap Gulf Marine Services jumped 14% after reporting double-digit 2023 earnings growth and upbeat 2024 guidance. Gelion soared 70% on the AIM after increasing lithium-sulphur battery energy density by around 60% versus lithium-ion.
Daily Risers and Fallers
Future 15.9%, Gulf Marine Services 14.0%, Pensionbee 11.5%, Mitie 8.3%, McBride 7.8%.
Ocado -5.0%, 888 Holdings -3.6%, Zotefoams -3.4%, OneSavings Bank -3.4%, Seraphim Sp -3.3%.
Daily Recap
- Deliveroo and restaurants unite for riders’ rights
- CAB Payments secures Dutch licence, eyes European expansion
- US dollar retreats as rate cut expectations grow
- Future back on growth path as shares soar
- Dr Martens investor demands strategic review amid valuation concerns
- OneCoin fraud mastermind’s top lawyer jailed for 4 years
- Gold soars to $2,300 as rate cut hopes fuel rally
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