FX.co ★ UK Stocks End on Cautious Note

The UK's FTSE 100 managed to recover from initial losses, finishing slightly higher at 8,407 on Thursday. Traders navigated through ongoing trade uncertainties and mixed signals from corporate earnings reports. Caution prevailed in the market, exacerbated by the Trump administration's erratic statements on tariffs. On the corporate side, Weir Group saw its shares rise by 4.5%, and wealth management firm St James's Place advanced by 2.2%, following positive trading updates. Other notable performers included Anglo American, Fresnillo, US-focused Ashtead, and Croda International, which all recorded solid gains. Conversely, major bank stocks like NatWest and Barclays faced downward pressure, with declines of 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively. Legal & General and Hiscox experienced drops after their ex-dividend status, while Bunzl's shares fell as investors continued to evaluate the potential tariff repercussions on the distribution industry.