U.K. Stocks Close Lower; United Kingdom 100 Index Down 1.27%

U.K. stocks experienced a decline following Friday’s market close, primarily driven by losses in several key sectors.

By the end of trading in London, the index recorded a drop of 1.27%.

Among the top performers during the session was National Grid PLC, which saw an increase of 1.27%, or 13.00 points, bringing its trading price to 1,036.00. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC also managed to gain 0.23%, or 1.20 points, to finish at 526.20, while Phoenix Group Holdings PLC rose by 0.18%, or 1.00 points, to close at 549.00.

In contrast, the session’s worst performers included Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC, which fell by 4.79%, or 360.00 points, to close at 7,160.00. Frasers Group PLC dropped 4.48%, or 39.50 points, finishing at 842.50, and Next PLC saw a decline of 3.99%, or 414.00 points, landing at 9,976.00.

On the London Stock Exchange, declining stocks outnumbered those that advanced, with figures showing 1,151 falling against 631 gaining, and 689 remaining unchanged.

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC’s shares fell to a five-year low, while Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC’s stock reached a five-year high.

In the commodities market, gold futures for December delivery increased by 1.24%, or 32.55, reaching $2,647.15 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, crude oil for November delivery dropped by 0.14%, or 0.10, settling at $71.06 per barrel, and the November Brent oil contract decreased by 0.43%, or 0.32, trading at $74.56 per barrel.

In foreign exchange, GBP/USD remained unchanged at 0.21%, trading at 1.33, while EUR/GBP showed a slight change of 0.17% at 0.84. The US Dollar Index futures rose by 0.09% to 100.41.