UK stocks close higher as energy sector gains tracking rise in oil prices (updated)
16/04/2026 17:18
Updates after market close April 16 (Reuters) - UK's main stock indexes closed higher on Thursday, lifted by energy stocks, as doubts about lasting resolution in the Middle East sent oil prices higher. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the negotiation in Islamabad increased hopes for a second round of talks, though added that fundamental differences remained over its nuclear program. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index .FTSE closed 0.29% higher at 10,589.99 points, while the midcap FTSE 250 .FTMC rose 0.5%. Oil giants BP BP.L and Shell SHEL.L gained 3.9% and 1.2%, respectively, as Brent crude rose over 3%. Industrial metal miners .FTNMX551020 rose 0.8%, tracking extended gains in base metals aluminium and copper. Rio Tinto RIO.L rose 1.7%; Glencore GLEN.L and Anglo American AAL.L up 0.5% each. Tesco TSCO.L climbed 4.7% even as the food retailer said profit outlook was clouded due to the Middle East conflict. The broader personal care, drug, grocery index .FTNMX452010 was up 0.4%. Heavyweight banks .FTNMX301010 dropped 0.3%; lender Natwest Group NWG.L fell 1%; Barclays BARC.L down 0.7%. Money manager Ashmore down 4.8% after the U.S.-Iran war led to net outflows. Construction group Morgan Sindall MGNS.L jumped 7.3% after lifting profit outlook, sending construction and materials .FTNMX501010 index up 1.8%. EasyJet EZJ.L slips 5% after it warned of bigger first-half loss. Product testing firm Intertek ITRK.L jumped 9% after rejecting 7.93 billion pounds ($10.74 bln) buyout deal from Swedish private equity firm EQT AB EQTAB.ST. (Reporting by Utkarsh Tushar Hathi; Editing by Sahal Muhammed) ((utkarshtushar.hathi@thomsonreutes.com))