Markets: FTSE 100 sees big gains after the Easter break
The FTSE 100 returned from the Easter break in a positive mood, adding 1.9% to close at 6,961.
- FTSE 100 up 1.9% to 6,961
- Gold down 0.47% to $1,209.20/oz
- £/$ - 1.4808
Commodity and energy stocks were the day's best performers. BG Group was the highest climber, rising 6.7%, while Royal Dutch Shell gained 3.9%. Among miners, Rio Tinto added 4%, and Glencore was 3.5% higher.
In European markets, the Paris CAC 40 rose 1.5% to 5,151, and the German Xetra Dax gained 1.3% to 12,123.
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped five points to 17,875, the S&P 500 fell 0.2% to 2,076, and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.1% lower at 4,910.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Overnight in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.8% to 19,789, and the broader Topix index added 0.6% to 1,588. And in China, the Shanghai Composite and the CSI 300 each rose 0.8% to 3,994 and 4,295 respectively.
Brent spot was trading at $58.35 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $52.96. Spot gold was trading at $1,211 an ounce, silver was at $16.89 and platinum was at $1,175.
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.4895 and against the euro at 1.3699. The dollar was trading at 0.9197 against the euro and 119.78 against the Japanese yen.
And today, Royal Dutch Shell says it is to buy BG Group for £47bn. BG shareholders will receive £3.83 plus 0.45 Shell B shares for each BG share they hold a 50% premium on Tuesday's market price.
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
UK-US trade deal announced: US cuts tariffs on UK car imports to 10%
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have announced a UK-US trade deal, but the US president has refused to lift baseline tariffs on most UK goods. What does it mean for the UK?
-
How to use mid-caps to diversify from the US
Medium sized companies are overlooked by investors but could offer an attractive ‘sweet spot’. We consider the case for mid-caps amid market volatility.