London’s main stock index bounced off two-week closing lows on Thursday, as investor sentiment steadied ahead of an annual conference of world central bankers and energy stocks got a lift from rising crude prices.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index had gained 0.6% by 0710 GMT and was set to snap three straight sessions of losses.
Oil majors Shell and BP rose more than 1% each, as crude prices were supported by the prospect of tighter supplies amid disruptions to Russian exports and the partial shutdown of a U.S. refinery.
Also boosting the index, Ireland’s CRH (CRH.L) climbed 3.9% after the building materials firm reported strong first-half results.
The domestically exposed FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) gained 0.4% after sinking to a more than one-month low in the previous session.
Hays Plc (HAYS.L) rose 6.3% after the recruitment agency reported a 128% jump in annual profit due to a rise in demand for new staff as employers rush to fill up vacancies.
Harbour Energy (HBR.L) rose 7% after the UK North Sea’s biggest oil and gas producer increased a share buyback programme by 50%.
From Reuters
Follow us on:
The FBI has stopped an alleged Iranian plot targeting President-elect Donald Trump, seeking revenge for…
Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy nominations, breaking the record as the most nominated artist in…
Republicans are set to gain a Senate seat and maintain a slim House majority, enhancing…
Louisiana school with a majority Black student population is set to close due to toxic…
A judge has blocked a Biden administration program that aimed to protect immigrant spouses from…
A new Ipsos poll has shown most Americans expect President-elect Trump’s policies to increase the…