The U.K. stock market ended the week on a downward note, as the FTSE 100 Index fell by 0.32% to a closing level of 7,256.94.
Declining Stocks
Several companies within the FTSE 100 witnessed drops in their share prices on Friday. RELX PLC, a publishing company, experienced the largest decrease as its shares dropped by 2.92%. Technical services firm Intertek Group PLC and water utilities company Severn Trent PLC also saw declines, with their shares falling by 2.49% and 2.33% respectively. Biotechnology company AstraZeneca PLC and multiutilities company National Grid PLC rounded out the top five largest decreases, with their stocks declining by 2.11% and 2.04% respectively.
Rising Stocks
Despite the overall market decline, some companies within the FTSE 100 managed to increase their share prices. Food retail company Ocado Group PLC saw the largest increase, with shares rallying by 7.01% on Friday. Non-alcoholic beverages/drinks firm Coca-Cola HBC AG and home goods retail company Kingfisher PLC also experienced gains, with their stocks rallying by 5.10% and 2.75% respectively. General mining company Polymetal International PLC and aerospace products/parts business Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC rounded out the top five largest increases, with their stocks rallying by 2.50% and 2.27% respectively.
Currency and Commodity Movements
In currency markets, the pound strengthened against the dollar, rising by 0.75% to $1.2838. It also saw a slight increase of 0.10% against the euro, reaching €1.1708.
In commodity markets, Brent crude rallied by 1.5% to reach $77.70. Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year gilt fell by 0.710 basis points to 4.651%.
