UK stock indexes set for fourth week of gains, miners rally
EWU•UK indexes finish the week higher
The main UK indices ended with a fourth consecutive week of gains on Friday, as a rally in precious metal miners helped offset concerns over when the U.S. and Iran would reach a lasting peace deal.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE rose 0.3% to 10,901.09 points, while the midcap FTSE 250 .FTMC added 0.7% to 24,854.86 points. Both were on track for weekly gains, with the midcap index set for its biggest weekly gain since mid-April.
Miners rally while oil majors fall
UK-listed shares of Hochschild HOCM.L, Fresnillo FRES.L and Endeavour Mining EDV.L rallied in the range of 4% to 6%, as gold prices jumped. GOL/
Shares of oil majors Shell SHEL.L and BP BP.L fell 1.1% and 0.5%, respectively, as crude prices slipped on signs that Gulf states and Iran were nearing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a temporary arrangement intended to pave the way for broader talks to end the Iran war. O/R
Midcap movers: Oxford Biomedica and Goodwin
Among midcap stocks, Oxford Biomedica OXB.L tumbled 14.6% after the cell and gene therapy manufacturer cut its 2026 revenue forecast, citing operational delays at a U.S. site and deferred client orders.
Goodwin GDWN.L gained 9.8% as the engineering group said it was exploring a potential sale of parts of its mechanical engineering business as it begins a wider strategic review.
