By Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch
MADRID (MarketWatch) -- London stocks pushed higher on the final
trading session of the month, helped by gains in the banking
sector, but a shortened U.S. session was keeping a lid on activity.
The main FTSE 100 index was poised to post a small loss for
November, one of the few European national benchmarks to do so.
The index moved up 0.3% to 6,677.42, and is set to finish the
week nearly flat, but about a 0.8% loss for the month of
November..
Data showed U.K. house prices rose again in November according
to Nationwide, the fastest annual gain in more than three years.
That news comes a day after the Bank of England said it would curb
its support for home loans.
Barclays PLC (BCS) was the top gainer in London, up 2.7%, with
other banks such as Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LYG) up 1.4% and
Standard Chartered PLC gained over 1%.
Mining stocks were also trading higher, with Rio Tinto PLC (RIO)
up 1.2% after the company said it will suspend alumina production
at an Australian refinery after determining that the operation is
no longer of value.
Antofagasta PLC rose 1.3% and Randgold Resources Ltd. gained
1%.
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