U.K. stocks turned in a mixed performance in somewhat lackluster trade Monday morning as investors looked for directional clues. Defense stocks shed ground amid signs of progress in Ukraine peace deal, while mining stocks gained and help limit market's downside.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 5.27 points or 0.05% at 9,875.95 a little while ago. The index dropped to 9,857.58 earlier in the session.
Among defense stocks, Rolls Royce Holdings shares drifted down by about 1.2% and BAE Systems slid 1.3%
Babcock International dropped by about 2.8%. BT Group slipped 1.7%, while British American Tobacco, Melrose Industries, Beazley, EasyJet and Halma lost 1.2 to 1.4%.
Hiscox, Diploma, Weir Group, IAG, Metlen Energy & Metals, Smiths Group and Burberry Group eased by 0.6 to 1%.
Miners Fresnillo and Glencore climbed 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Anglo American Plc and Antofagasta gained 2% and 1.4%, respectively.
Convatec Group, Mondi, Barratt Redrow, Entain, Segro, Berkeley Group Holdings, Persimmon, British Land and Land Securities advanced by 1 to 2.2%.
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Market Analysis
December 26, 2025 08:42 ET Third quarter economic growth data from some major economies including the U.S. were the main news in this holiday shortened week. GDP growth and industrial production data from the U.S. helped to boost morale, while the consumer confidence survey results were less upbeat. In Europe, the quarterly economic growth data from the U.K. drew attention, while the minutes of the Australian central bank’s latest policy session was in focus in Asia.