The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.14% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index gained 15 points or 0.14 percent on Friday to close at 10695 points. Gains were led by Computacenter (3.72%), Standard Chartered (2.33%) and Smiths (2.03%). Biggest losers were BP (-2.22%), Bunzl (-1.86%) and Imperial Brands (-1.64%).

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Friday as gains in banking and mining stocks offset weakness among energy companies. HSBC Holdings, Barclays and Lloyds advanced between 0.8% and 1.8%, while Glencore rose 1.6% and Anglo American gained 1.8%. United Utilities also moved slightly higher after the water company said its operational performance remained in line with expectations and that it was seeking support for £1 billion of investment in its network. Oil majors underperformed, with BP falling more than 2% and Shell declining 0.8% as crude prices weakened. Oil markets continued to weigh the possibility of a US-Iran truce against concerns that escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could disrupt supplies from the key Middle Eastern producer. Meanwhile, UK consumer confidence improved for a third consecutive month, according to GfK, although the survey pointed to continued caution among households. The FTSE 100 was around 0.3% higher over the week.

The FTSE 100 Index is gaining 58 points or 0.54 percent on Friday. Leading the gains are Smiths (2.39%), Glencore (2.17%) and Endeavour (1.92%). Top losers are BP (-1.98%), Babcock International (-0.81%) and British American Tobacco (-0.70%).