FX.co ★ UK Shares Trade Higher

On Monday, the FTSE 100 experienced an uptick, nearing a five-week high and aligning with the trend seen in European markets. This rise was largely in response to positive developments in US-China trade discussions. Both nations reportedly consented to halt most tariffs on each other's goods for a period of 90 days, marking a potential easing of tensions between the globe's two largest economies. Meanwhile, the UK anticipates a significant week of economic data releases, which will encompass Q1 GDP growth figures, the unemployment rate, goods trade balance, and industrial production statistics. Notable performers within the index included HSBC Holdings, which surged 3.7%, Shell, climbing 2.6%, Rio Tinto with a substantial gain of 4.9%, and BP, which rose by 3%. Conversely, AstraZeneca experienced the most significant decline, dropping 4.5%, followed by GlaxoSmithKline's 2.9% decrease and BAE Systems with a 1.7% dip.