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UK's FTSE 100 inched higher on Thursday, rising 0.14% as investors evaluated corporate updates and economic data pointing to potential weaknesses. Burberry shares surged 3.5% after HSBC raised its price target for the luxury goods maker.S&P Global’s latest purchasing managers' index revealed that Britain’s construction activity contracted at its fastest pace since May 2020. The employment index hit its lowest level since August 2020, signalling an uptick in job cuts. Business optimism also fell to its lowest level in nearly three years, alongside a slight increase in cost pressures.

The personal goods sector led market gains, climbing 2.8%. Aerospace and defence stocks extended their rally for the third straight day, driven by stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems both rose over 1%. On the other hand, precious metal miners dropped 1.4% as bullion prices declined, with Fresnillo and Endeavour Mining each falling over 1.4%. In other developments, Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, announced a £28 billion investment plan to boost the country’s grid capacity. Despite this, utilities stocks struggled, with SSE dropping 2.1%, while United Utilities, National Grid, and Severn Trent also faced declines.

Among individual stocks, AJ Bell plunged 6.7% after warning of rising costs and challenges to the individual savings account market. Diageo slid 0.8% following a price target cut by UBS, lowering it from £2,250 to £1,850. AstraZeneca fell 0.7%, while Barclays gained 1.2%. Meanwhile, data from Calastone revealed British investors sold £3 billion worth of equities in November, marking the sixth consecutive month of net selling.

TECHNICAL & TRADE VIEW - FTSE100

• Daily VWAP Bearish
• Weekly VWAP Bullish
• Above 9701 Target 9760
• Below 9677 Target 9566

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