15.12.202508:30:47UTC+00UK Stocks Start Week on Positive Note

The FTSE 100 index in London advanced by 0.5% on Monday, approaching the 9,700 mark in tandem with other European market indices. Investors honed in on a forthcoming week abundant with economic data and pivotal central bank policy announcements, notably anticipating an interest rate reduction by the Bank of England. Gains were predominantly observed in the sectors of precious metals mining and retail, with Endeavour Mining and Fresnillo leading the charge, registering increases of 3.8% and 3.7%, respectively, buoyed by the climbing gold prices. Other mining entities such as Antofagasta and Glencore saw respective gains of 1.5%, driven by the upward momentum in copper prices. Meanwhile, retail giants Marks and Spencer Group and Burberry Group also experienced rises of 1.6% and 1.5%. Conversely, St James's Place and AB Foods emerged as the steepest decliners, falling by 2.3% and 1.3%, respectively. Hikma Pharmaceuticals faced a loss exceeding 1% subsequent to the disclosure that its chief executive is departing the company, following shortly after a profit caution issued just over a month ago.