The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.56% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index gained 60 points or 0.56 percent on Friday to close at 10809 points. Gains were led by JD Sports Fashion (5.84%), Antofagasta (5.37%) and Endeavour (4.25%). Biggest losers were National Grid (-1.22%), Babcock International (-1.21%) and Intercontinental Hotels (-1.03%).

The FTSE 100 rose 0.6% on Friday, extending gains for the sixth session and record a weekly advance. Mining stocks benefited from stronger precious and industrial metal prices, with Antofagasta rising nearly 6%, Endeavour Mining adding more than 4%, and Anglo American climbing 3%. Also, Fresnillo, Rio Tinto and Glencore added around 2% each. Among financial stocks, HSBC gained more than 1%. Meanwhile, heavyweight oil companies Shell and BP fell as Brent crude prices edged lower. The latest data showed UK private sector output expanded at the fastest pace since April, led by a sustained turnaround in service sector activity, which offset a slowdown in manufacturing production growth. Still, UK retail sales fell for the first time since April because very hot weather and fewer discounts kept shoppers away.

The FTSE 100 traded higher on Friday, heading for a fourth consecutive session of modest gains and a weekly advance of around 0.2%. Mining stocks benefited from stronger precious and industrial metal prices, with Antofagasta rising more than 5%, Fresnillo gaining around 3.6%, Endeavour Mining adding 2.8%, Anglo American climbing 2.5% and Glencore advancing 2.3%. Among financial stocks, HSBC gained more than 1%. Meanwhile, heavyweight oil companies Shell and BP were little changed as Brent crude prices edged lower. Healthcare stocks underperformed, with GSK falling around 1% and AstraZeneca declining 1.8%. Meanwhile, data showed UK private sector output expanded at the fastest pace since April, led by a sustained turnaround in service sector activity, which offset a slowdown in manufacturing production growth. Still, UK retail sales fell for the first time since April because very hot weather and fewer discounts kept shoppers away.