UK Stocks Close in the Green

2026-07-17 15:57 By Luisa Carvalho 1 min. read

London's FTSE 100 turned slightly higher to close at 10,600 on Friday, faring better than its European counterparts thanks to minimal exposure to the technology sector.

Gains in defensive stocks and energy companies offset weakness in personal goods, miners and financials.

Utility stocks National Grid (3.3%), Severn Trent (3%), United Utilities (2.4%), and SSE (2.4%), along with tobacco company BAT (2.7%) and Imperial Brands (2.3%), posted solid gains.

Shell (2%) and BP (0.7%) also advanced, tracking higher oil prices.

Burberry plunged 6.4% to lead losses after second-quarter earnings came in slightly below expectations, while the company warned that the Middle East conflict could hurt future demand.

On the political front, Andy Burnham was confirmed as Labour leader and is due to become prime minister on July 20, with investors awaiting his cabinet appointments, including the expected nomination of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as chancellor.

For the week, the index rose about 1%.



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