Investing.com -- British stocks ended more than 1% higher on Friday, on track to snap a two-session losing streak, as miners rallied alongside metals prices and oil eased after the U.S. president ruled out attacking Iran before next month's midterm elections, outweighing concerns over Houthi attacks on Riyadh's airport.
The FTSE 100 closed 1% to 10,552.05. Germany's DAX rose 1.17% and France's CAC 40 gained 0.85%. Sterling slipped 0.17% to $1.3208.
Miners led the FTSE 100 higher as metals prices rose. Antofagasta led FTSE 100 gainers, up 4.5%, followed by Fresnillo, Glencore, Anglo American and Endeavour Mining, which rose between 2.8% and 3.2% as metals prices climbed.
U.S. gold futures rose 1.3% to $4,211.45 an ounce and spot gold gained 1.10% to $4,179.21.
Copper rose 1.3% on the LME and silver advanced 2.3%, supporting both base-metal and precious-metal producers.
Brent futures fell 0.62% to $103.67 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate inched up 0.08%%, to $91.57.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport "completely unacceptable" and urged the Houthis to stop their "reckless and violent actions."
The EU aviation safety agency advised airlines to avoid further areas of Saudi airspace. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said talks with Washington must proceed without "pressure and threats", per Fars.
Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said Thursday's two attacks killed three Saudi citizens, and Saudia said an employee died. Lufthansa suspended Riyadh flights through Oct. 16, Reuters reported. The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed three Houthi rocket-launch platforms.
In a social media post late on Thursday, Trump said "we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections", citing "productive discussions" with Tehran, while the "Blockade will remain in full force and effect". He claimed "22 Million Barrels" passed through Hormuz "last night alone".
IRGC Navy political deputy Ali Mohammadi told Fars that Iranian forces conduct operations every night in Hormuz against vessels Tehran deems in violation of its rules, and called estimates of 3 million to 8 million barrels passing through the strait "incorrect".
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would respond to U.S. proposals within the "next few days".
Britain said Kuwait agreed on Friday to buy a £370 million air defence system from London-based MARSS, owned by Australia's EOS, to counter drone attacks.
It combines jammers, radars, interceptors and an AI-enabled control centre, and will create 100 jobs at MARSS's Bristol plant. John Healey has said he wants defence orders to help reindustrialise Britain and boost growth.
Original Article
FTSE 100 today: Stocks ends 1% higher helped by rally in miners and easing oil
