FTSE 100 steady as banking stocks slide, miners gain

The FTSE 100 kicked off 2025 cautiously, hovering near 8,160 as investors grappled with global market uncertainties and awaited key manufacturing PMI data from major economies, including the UK.

FTSE 100 steady as banking stocks slide, miners gain

Nationwide reported that UK house prices rose 4.7% year-on-year in December to £269,426, marking a 0.7% monthly increase but remaining slightly below the all-time highs in summer 2022. On the corporate front, banking stocks faced headwinds, with Barclays leading the decline, down over 1%, followed by HSBC Holdings (-0.9%), NatWest Group (-0.7%), and Standard Chartered (-0.4%). Lloyds managed to hold steady. On the positive side, mining stocks emerged as strong performers, buoyed by rising gold and silver prices. Fresnillo led the gains, up 1.2%, reflecting a broader optimism in the metals sector.

Investors navigate mixed signals as new trading year begins

Investors remained vigilant, balancing mixed economic signals and corporate developments as the new trading year unfolded.