U.K. Stocks Close Slightly Higher as Real Estate and Healthcare Sectors Outperform; Auto Trader Shares Plunge
London – The U.K. stock market closed marginally higher on Thursday, with the Investing.com United Kingdom 100 index edging up 0.01% amid a mixed trading session marked by sector-specific gains and notable declines.
The Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and healthcare sectors were among the strongest performers, providing upward momentum in an otherwise subdued market. Segro Plc (LON:SGRO) led the session’s gainers, rising 4.13% to close at 701.00, buoyed by investor interest in logistics and industrial property assets. Fresnillo PLC (LON:FRES) advanced 3.26%, reaching a three-year high at 1,171.00, supported by firmer gold prices. ConvaTec Group PLC (LON:CTEC) also posted robust gains, increasing 3.22% to 290.86 and reaching a 52-week high, driven by positive sentiment in healthcare equipment and services.
Conversely, Auto Trader Group Plc (LON:AUTOA) experienced significant pressure, falling 11.27% to 798.60 amid concerns over valuation and future growth prospects. National Grid PLC (LON:NG) declined 3.78%, closing at 1,031.00, while Coca Cola HBC AG (LON:CCH) slipped 2.39% to 3,842.00.
Market breadth showed a moderate tilt toward gains, with 822 stocks rising compared to 686 decliners, while 701 shares ended the day unchanged on the London Stock Exchange.
In commodities, gold futures for August delivery rose 0.83% to $3,350.05 per troy ounce, underscoring continued investor appetite for safe-haven assets amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Conversely, crude oil prices softened, with July Brent crude falling 1.15% to $63.58 per barrel and July WTI crude slipping 0.97% to $61.24 per barrel, reflecting concerns over global demand prospects.
Overall, the U.K. market demonstrated resilience, with selective sector strength offsetting notable weaknesses, suggesting investor caution amid a complex macroeconomic backdrop.
