Stock market index FTSE 100 closes up on anticipated interest rate decisions
The German government has approved its 2025 budget, committing to a total expenditure of 502.5 billion euros. This figure includes far-reaching new debt, with total net borrowing amounting to almost 82 billion euros.
In the core budget, billions are earmarked for defence and infrastructure investments. The total new debt in the budget surpasses 140 billion euros.
Meanwhile, the London Stock Exchange closed on a positive note on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 index rising 0.2%, closing at 9,228.11. The FTSE 250 also saw a gain, ending the day up 0.5% at 21,725.95. The AIM All-Share closed slightly higher, up 0.1% at 772.34.
Stocks in New York were also on an upward trend, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.3%. The S&P 500 index climbed 0.7%, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a more significant increase of 1.2%.
Gold was quoted at 3,639.64 dollars an ounce, while Brent oil was priced at 67.46 dollars a barrel at the time of the London equities close.
In company news, Renishaw, a Gloucestershire-based provider of manufacturing technologies, analytical instruments, and medical devices, reported strong financial results. Renishaw's revenue grew 3.1% to £713 million, and the company's adjusted pre-tax profit climbed 3.8% to £127.2 million. Renishaw proposed a final dividend of 61.3 pence per share, up 3.2%, with the total payout for the year increasing 2.5% to 78.1p.
One of the strongest rising companies in the UK was Trustpilot Group, which jumped by 8.5% after releasing its half-year results. On the other hand, small-cap Amigo Holdings ended the day up 18%, having completed a scheme of arrangement and plans to appoint Grant Thornton as liquidators of its operating units and holding companies later this month.
The pound was quoted lower at 1.3556 dollars, while the euro was also down at 1.1786 dollars at the same time.
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