FTSE 100 Edges Up on Miner Gains Amid Fed Watch

(RTTNews) – Britain’s FTSE 100 inched higher on Friday, tracking a broadly positive session across European markets as investors awaited guidance from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s keynote address at the Jackson Hole symposium for hints on future U.S. monetary policy direction.

The blue-chip index, which touched an intraday peak of 10,849.10, was last seen trading up 22.77 points, or 0.21%, at 10,815.31 around midday.

SSE led the rally with a gain of over 2%, while Investec, Croda International, Melrose Industries, Weir, HSBC Holdings, Severn Trent, Aviva, Standard Life and Spirax Group added between 1% and 1.8%.

Mining stocks also advanced, with Anglo American Plc, Antofagasta and Endeavour Mining rising between 1.1% and 1.4%.

Shell, Centrica, National Grid, United Utilities, Hiscox, Metlen Energy & Metals and Scottish Mortgage posted more modest but steady gains.

Conversely, Airtel Africa slipped roughly 2.2%. Shares of The Sage Group, BAE Systems, Experian, Kingfisher, Relx, Autotrader Group, Babcock International, Admiral Group, JD Sports Fashion, Smith & Nephew, Tritax Big Box REIT and Howden Joinery Group declined between 1% and 2%, reflecting some profit-taking among previously stronger performers.

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