FX.co ★ UK Stocks Slightly Higher

On Tuesday afternoon, the FTSE 100 experienced an uptick, approaching 9,190, aligning with other regional markets. This optimism was fueled by hopes for peace between Ukraine and Russia, following US President Trump's announcement of scheduling a meeting between Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Among the equities, JD Sports led the index, surging by 6% after Deutsche Bank increased its target price from 85p to 100p. Additionally, BHP, a major player in the copper market, saw a nearly 2% rise, buoyed by a dividend that exceeded expectations, despite its annual profits dropping to their lowest in five years due to reduced demand for iron ore from China. Meanwhile, Anglo American and Glencore each saw over a 2% increase, alongside gains in the financial sector. Conversely, defense stocks like Babcock, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Melrose faced declines, falling between 2% and 7%.