The U.K. stock market had a mixed day on Friday, with some companies experiencing declines while others saw increases. The FTSE 100 Index closed down 0.08% at 7,434.57.
Declining Stocks
Ocado Group PLC (OCDO) was the biggest decliner among the FTSE 100 constituents, with its shares falling by 4.13%. Chemicals firm Croda International PLC (CRDA) and aerospace products/parts company Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (RR) also saw their shares decline, by 2.62% and 2.28% respectively. BP PLC (BP), a major oil & gas company, and investment advisors firm Legal & General Group PLC (LGEN) rounded out the top five largest decreases, with their stocks declining by 1.98% and 1.63% respectively.
Increasing Stocks
On the other hand, Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC (SPX), a technical services company, experienced the largest increase among the FTSE 100 constituents, with its shares rising by 3.11% on Friday. Securities firm London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSEG) and paper/pulp company Mondi PLC (MNDI) also saw gains, with their stocks climbing by 2.45% and 1.85% respectively. Precision products company Halma PLC (HLMA) and finance companies business Experian PLC (EXPN) rounded out the top five largest increases, as their stocks rallied by 1.77% and 1.59% respectively.
Forex and Commodity Performance
The pound weakened against the dollar, down 0.18% at $1.3113, and against the euro, down 0.27% at €1.1669.
Brent crude saw a decline of 1.4% to $80.26, while the yield on the 10-year gilt rose by 1.980 basis points to 4.446%.