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U.K. stocks inched higher on Tuesday as traders waited for more news on the deadly coronavirus outbreak before pushing in either direction.
After being hammered by 2.3% on Monday, the FTSE 100 UKX, +0.51% rose 0.17% to 7424.65.
The death toll in China reached at least 106 people, authorities said on Tuesday, with more than 4,500 outbreaks in the world’s second-largest economy.
The news has hit companies that are sensitive to Chinese demand. Miners including Antofagasta ANTO, +0.64% had a second day of losses.
Other decliners included Burberry Group BRBY, -1.38%, which fell by more than 3% and has dropped 17% over the past week, and Diageo DGE, -2.27%, which dropped 2.5%. But there were gainers as well, including Middle East hospital operator NMC Health NMC, +0.88%, which gained 2.1%, and commodity trader Glencore GLEN, +3.07%, which rose 1.7%.
Elsewhere, Virgin Money UK VMUK, +4.87% shares rose 3% as the lender said there was improved sentiment in December, though it said the U.K. market is facing competitive pressure because of Brexit uncertainty.
A.G. Barr shares BAG, +14.89% jumped 13% as the maker of the Irn-Bru beverage said adjusted pretax profits will be at the top end of expectations.
