U.K. Stocks Close Lower

U.K. stocks fell after the markets closed on Wednesday, primarily due to declines in the Fixed Line Telecommunications, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech, and Electrical sectors. At the close in London, the Investing.com United Kingdom 100 Index lost 0.27%.

Best and Worst Performers

Best Performers

• Legal & General Group PLC (LON:LGEN): +6.01% (up 13.40 points) to 236.30
• Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTYV): +4.86% (up 30.50 points) to 658.50
• International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (LON:ICAG): +4.05% (up 10.70 points) to 275.10

Worst Performers

• AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN): -2.87% (down 310.00 points) to 10,480.00
• Anglo American PLC (LON:AAL): -2.47% (down 63.50 points) to 2,507.50
• National Grid PLC (LON:NG): -1.52% (down 15.00 points) to 975.00

Market Overview

Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones on the London Stock Exchange: 1096 stocks rose, 698 fell, and 642 remained unchanged. Shares in International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. hit three-year highs, rising 4.05% to 275.10.

Commodities and Currency Update

• Gold Futures (February delivery): +0.25% (up 6.59) to $2,674.49 per ounce
• Crude Oil (January delivery): -0.96% (down 0.67) to $69.27 per barrel
• Brent Oil (February contract): -0.81% (down 0.60) to $73.02 per barrel

Currency Exchange Rates

• GBP/USD: unchanged at 1.27
• EUR/GBP: unchanged at 0.83

US Dollar Index Futures

• Index: -0.18% at 106.15