FX.co ★ UK Stocks End in the Red

The FTSE 100 experienced a downturn on Friday, closing approximately 0.9% lower at 9,427, distancing further from its all-time high of 9,549 set on October 8. The decline was primarily driven by losses in major mining and industrial sectors, which overshadowed the gains witnessed in consumer stocks. The markets were also unsettled by a resurgence in trade tensions between the United States and China. In a statement, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested there was "no reason" to have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming weeks, and he threatened a substantial increase in tariffs on Chinese goods. This was in response to China restricting exports of rare earth elements, crucial for U.S. industries. In terms of individual stock performance, Entain led the losses, plunging about 4%, followed by Mondi (-3.5%), Glencore (-3.2%), and Rightmove (-3.1%). Energy giants Shell and BP also suffered declines due to a significant drop in oil prices. Conversely, Admiral Group (+1.7%), Imperial Brands (+1.6%), and Unilever (+1.5%) recorded the largest gains. Overall, the index fell by approximately 0.7% for the week.