FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Trades Cautiously on Monday

The FTSE 100 experienced minimal movement on Monday, with increases in the mining sector counterbalanced by declines in defence and consumer stocks. The index saw precious metals miners in the spotlight, as gold and silver surged to new peaks. Notably, Fresnillo saw a rise of over 4%, while Endeavour increased by more than 2.5%. Broader mining companies also showed gains, with Antofagasta climbing over 3%, Anglo American advancing by 1.5%, and Rio Tinto increasing by 0.8%. In contrast, the defence sector saw declines, with BAE Systems dropping approximately 0.5% and Rolls Royce decreasing by around 1%. The consumer sector was not exempt from losses, as Reckitt Benckiser's shares fell by more than 3%, affecting the index's overall performance. The market maintained a cautious outlook amidst ongoing geopolitical concerns, particularly due to renewed tensions between the United States and Canada. These tensions were heightened after Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the possibility of a free trade agreement with China, following President Donald Trump's threats of imposing significant tariffs on Ottawa should they proceed with such a deal.