U.K. stocks traded higher on Friday after Standard Chartered reported a better-than-expected 19 percent jump in full-year profits.
Investors ignored survey data from GfK showing that U.K. consumer confidence dropped in February on weak economic conditions.
The consumer sentiment index fell to -21 in February from -19 in January. The score was seen at -18.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 0.1 percent at 7,694 after edging up 0.3 percent on Thursday.
Standard Chartered jumped 6.5 percent. The lender announced a $1 billion share buyback after posting quarterly earnings that beat estimates.
Aerospace and defense group Chemring dropped 1.2 percent after keeping expectations for fiscal 2024 performance unchanged.
Market Analysis
FTSE 100 Edges Higher As Standard Chartered Unveils $1 Bln Share Buyback
2024-02-23 09:15:16
