UK stocks have ended the day marginally higher by clinging to US confidence in its trading market and yesterday's interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to 2.25%.
The FTSE 100 Index closed 5.4 points higher to 4728.20 points today, led by HBOS up 23.50p to 829.50p after analysts raised its stock credit outlook. Hanson, a producer of sand and gravel added 10.50p higher to 425p after reporting a boost in its second-half earnings. Leading the drop, Smith & Nephew lost 24p or 4.3% to 528.50p. Mining group Antofagasta also slipped 24p to £10.64p at close today. And home-improvement retailer Kingfisher lost ground, losing 5.50p to 300.50p, after reporting its biggest slowdown in growth stretching back 18 months, hampered by overseas expansion costs...
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