UK stocks stabilise as energy gains offset retail losses
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Energy and industrial stocks helped lift London’s top index higher on Monday, starting the week off on a more optimistic note as investors prepare to wind down for the Christmas holidays. The FTSE 100 reversed heavy losses suffered last week when investors were reeling from the Bank of England and European Central Bank’s interest rate hikes. It has been a modestly positive start to the week for European markets after the declines of last week and as we head into the dying embers of a year that has seen some significant volatility and weakness Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK Meanwhile, Next, JD Sports, Frasers Group, and B&Q owner Kingfisher sunk towards the bottom as widespread rail strikes continue to dampen the important Christmas trading period for UK retailers. Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said: “It has been a modestly positive start to the week for European markets after the declines of last week and as we head into the dying embers of a year that has seen some significant volatility and weakness.