FTSE 100 Trades Higher on Wednesday

The FTSE 100 gained more than 0.5% on Wednesday, recovering after two consecutive sessions of losses as stronger-than-expected UK GDP data supported sentiment and utilities and mining stocks advanced. The UK economy grew 0.5% in the second quarter, an upward revision from the previous estimate of 0.4%, highlighting slightly stronger underlying activity than initially reported. Utilities led the broader index, with Severn Trent and United Utilities each rising around 3%, while SSE and National Grid gained more than 2.5%. Mining stocks also performed strongly, with Antofagasta climbing 3.2% and Rio Tinto adding around 2%. Energy companies moved in the opposite direction as weaker Brent crude prices pressured the sector, sending Shell down 1% and BP 1.7% lower. Despite Wednesday’s rebound, the FTSE 100 remained around 1% lower for September, following a 0.4% decline in August. The index was still up about 2% for the third quarter, supported by a 5.3% gain in July.