FTSE 100 Climbs to Three-Week High

The FTSE 100 reached multiweek highs in several reported sessions, supported by its exposure to pharmaceuticals, consumer staples, energy and defense, and in some sessions by financial stocks and stronger-than-expected UK growth. In one Wednesday session, AstraZeneca and GSK led gains as the index rose despite hot U.S. inflation data weighing on Wall Street; banking and mining losses partly offset the advance. A separate report said UK GDP grew 0.1% in August, beating expectations, while mining shares fell after Antofagasta cut its production outlook. Other sessions saw the index lag continental European markets amid concerns about chip-equipment demand, while rising oil prices and shifting bond yields also shaped investor sentiment.