By Patrick Munnelly, Market Analyst, Tickmill
The UK’s main bourse put on a strong performance today, bucking the weakness that seemed to be permeating from across the pond earlier on in the US session. The FTSE 100 closed up 76 points (+1%) at 7739 as investors piled into U.K. Plc., ahead of the long Easter weekend.
FTSE-100: The biggest movers
Apart from a handful of laggards, the index was awash with stocks moving well across the board.
The insurance sector was flavour of the day as the likes of Admiral [LON:ADM] and Legal and General [LON:GEN] outperformed. The former building on its positive momentum from yesterday’s trading session despite a flurry of broker downgrades in recent days.
Shell Plc [LON:SHEL] pleased investors today, rallying 1.86% and outperforming it’s peer BP Plc [LON:BP.], as the former updated positively regarding its liquified natural gas division.
The upside momentum could well continue next week for U.K. stocks, but all eyes will be on key US employment numbers being reported tomorrow (Friday) and the subsequent reaction from market participants.
