FTSE 100 Modestly Higher As Miners Rise

Market Overview - The UK market is experiencing positive momentum, with the benchmark FTSE 100 up 33.97 points or 0.36% at 9,331.55 [1] - Gains in the mining sector are attributed to higher metal prices, contributing to the overall market performance [1] Sector Performance - The mining sector shows solid gains, with companies like Beazley gaining about 3.2% and Glencore up nearly 3% [2] - Other companies such as Hiscox, Antofagasta, Fresnillo, and Anglo American Plc are also experiencing gains between 1.5% to 2.6% [2] Economic Data - The UK's real GDP showed no growth in July, following a 0.4% increase in June, with the services sector expanding by 0.1% and construction by 0.2% [3] - Industrial production fell by 0.9%, offsetting gains in other sectors [3] Yearly and Quarterly Trends - On a yearly basis, GDP increased by 1.4% in July, slightly below the economists' forecast of 1.5% [4] - In the three months leading to July, real GDP advanced by 0.2%, following a 0.3% rise in the previous three months [4] Trade Balance - The visible trade deficit remained relatively unchanged at GBP 23.68 billion in July compared to GBP 23.65 billion in June [4] - The surplus on services decreased to GBP 15.28 billion from GBP 15.42 billion, resulting in a total trade balance deficit of GBP 8.4 billion, up from GBP 8.23 billion the previous month [5]