On Friday, U.K. stocks experienced a decline as investors eagerly anticipated the release of the U.S. employment report for September, which is expected to provide crucial insights into the economy's health and future interest rate trends. The FTSE 100, a key market index, fell by 27 points, or 0.3%, reaching 8,256 after a slight decline of 0.1% the previous day.
In the energy sector, BP Plc saw a rise of approximately 1%, while Shell showed a modest increase, buoyed by oil prices trending towards strong weekly gains amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Watches of Switzerland Group experienced an uptick of over 2% following its acquisition of a New York-based platform catering to watch enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, the pub giant J D Wetherspoon saw a slight decrease in its stock value after revealing its financial results for 2024.
