FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Rises to 4-Month High

The FTSE 100 climbed 0.3% to 10,679 on Friday, its highest level since March 2, extending Thursday’s strong 1.7% gain. Utilities were among the standout performers: SSE advanced about 1.5%, National Grid rose 1.3%, Centrica gained 1.1%, and Severn Trent added more than 0.5%. Mining stocks also underpinned the index, with precious metals producer Fresnillo rising over 1% and Anglo American gaining more than 1%. Overall trading activity was subdued, as volumes were dampened by the closure of US markets for the Independence Day holiday. On a weekly basis, the UK benchmark added 1.6%, building on a 1.4% increase in the prior week.