U.K. Equities Rise as Gains in Key Sectors Propel Shares Higher

U.K. equities closed higher on Tuesday, driven by gains in the mining, aerospace, and retail sectors.

The FTSE 100 index rose 0.37% to close at the end of the trading day in London.

Top Performers

The top performers on the London Stock Exchange were:

• Kingfisher (LON:), which rose 11.23% (32.60 points) to 322.90
• EasyJet (LON:), which rose 6.18% (30.10 points) to 517.40
• JD Sports Fashion PLC (LON:), which rose 3.50% (5.40 points) to 159.70

Worst Performers

The worst performers on the London Stock Exchange were:

• BAE Systems (LON:), which fell 4.68% (62.50 points) to 1,273.00
• British American Tobacco (LON:), which fell 2.36% (70.00 points) to 2,900.00
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (LON:), which fell 1.95% (38.00 points) to 1,915.00

Market Summary

A total of 1,063 stocks on the London Stock Exchange rose, while 730 stocks closed lower. Meanwhile, 669 stocks remained flat.

Notable Market Movements

Kingfisher (LON:) shares surged to a one-year high, rising 11.23% (32.60 points) to close at 322.90.

Commodity Prices

Gold futures for the December option contract fell 0.69% (18.00 points) to $2,590.90.

WTI crude oil futures for the November delivery contract rose 1.68% (1.16 points) to $70.18.

London Brent crude oil futures for the November contract rose 1.40% (1.02) to $73.77.

Currency Exchange Rates

The GBP/USD exchange rate fell 0.40% to 1.32.

The EUR/GBP exchange rate was basically flat at 0.28% to 0.84.

The dollar index futures rose 0.16% to 100.60.