UK Stocks Mixed as Miners Surge on Commodity Rally

London’s FTSE 100 ended the session with modest gains, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 posted a slight decline, reflecting divergent performance across sectors. Mining stocks led the advance, with Anglo American (AAL) rising 4.3% and Rio Tinto (RIO) climbing 3.8%, driven by a rebound in global commodity prices, particularly copper and iron ore. The rally in raw materials was fueled by stronger-than-expected Chinese industrial output data released on January 20, 2026, which boosted demand expectations. Meanwhile, financials lagged, with HSBC (HSBC) slipping 1.2% amid ongoing concerns over credit quality in Asia-Pacific markets. The broader market remained cautious ahead of the UK’s inflation report due February 1, 2026, which could influence Bank of England rate decisions.