U.K. stocks suffered their first loss in six days on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 Index UKX, -0.50% down 0.50% to 7,634.52 at market close.
Ashtead Group PLC AHT, -5.72% saw the biggest decline in the FTSE 100, while Ferguson PLC FERG, -3.63% and BHP Group Ltd. BHP, -3.55% followed close behind with 3.63% and 3.55% drops, respectively. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC RR, -2.77% and Vodafone Group PLC VOD, -2.21% had the next-biggest losses.
On the opposite side of the scale, Polymetal International PLC POLY, +3.74%, a general mining company, rose 3.74% for the biggest earnings increase of FTSE 100 constituents. Gold miner Fresnillo PLC FRES, +2.86% and general mining company Glencore PLC GLEN, +1.67% saw 2.86% and 1.67% growth, respectively. London Stock Exchange Group PLC LSEG, +1.45%, and non-life insurance company Admiral Group PLC ADM, +1.32% saw the next-largest hikes.
The British pound climbed 0.65% against the dollar GBPUSD, +0.60% and 0.22% against the euro GBPEUR, +0.17% as the FTSE 100 slipped. Brent crude BRN00, -0.79% shed 0.9% to $84.15 and the yield on the 10-year gilt TMBMKGB-10Y, 3.438% increased 0.640 basis points to 3.438%.
Ashtead Group provides equipment and tools services in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, with the majority of its operations located in North America. The company is the world’s second-largest equipment and tool rental firm with over 1,000 facilities around the world. It operates in the general rental market, construction and industrial markets, offering a range of services from large and small equipment to tool and party rentals.
Ferguson PLC is a specialty wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling, waterworks and industrial supplies and services in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is one of the largest and most trusted plumbing, heating, cooling products and appliance retailer in the United Kingdom. Its products line up includes a wide range of plumbing supplies, industrial products, cooling and heating appliances.
Admiral Group is a British financial services company with operations in the United Kingdom and United States. The Group specializes in car insurance, providing services that include third party, personal car, commercial vehicle, travel and home insurance. Additionally, the company offers services ranging from motor finance and travel money to personal loans and mortgages. The company’s goal is to make insurance simpler, smarter, and more accessible to the customer so they can get the right coverage for their needs.
