The FTSE 100 advanced on Monday, supported by strong gains in precious metals miners and AstraZeneca. Fresnillo traded 6.1% higher, and Endeavour Mining was 5.2% up due to a renewed surge in gold to fresh record highs and silver nearing $52. Base metal producers also benefited from higher metal prices, as Anglo American gained 2%, Antofagasta 1.9%, Glencore 1.3%, and Rio Tinto 1.1%. AstraZeneca added over 0.5% after agreeing to reduce certain US drug prices in exchange for three years of tariff relief, part of a deal highlighted by President Trump to lower consumer medicine costs. The company will price new US launches at parity with peer nations and expand discounted access through Medicaid. In financials, Lloyds Banking rose more than 1% after stating it would engage with the Financial Conduct Authority on its proposed motor finance compensation scheme, warning that estimated costs could exceed previous assumptions.
