Mixed Stocks at the End of Wednesday in London

London shares ended up in a mixed state on Wednesday as investors took in the latest comments from Federal Reserve officials and reviewed corporate news.

The FTSE 100 closed the session down 0.04% to 7,026.93, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.9% at 22,640.08.

The British pound was heading in different directions as well, last trading 0.21% weaker against the dollar at $ 1.4123, while it was up 0.22% against the euro at 1.1576 euros.

“A bit rough day for European stock markets, with nothing moving,” joked Neil Wilson, chief analyst at Markets.com, adding that all major exchanges were trading flat.

“The US markets are slightly higher, as the heads of Wall Street banks showed before Congress.

“The dollar took a big deal on the London patch,” he added.

“Panetta’s dovish comments from the European Central Bank, too early to cut bond purchases, had already put the euro on a downward trajectory throughout the session.”

Gold prices reached their highest level since January earlier today as concerns about inflation continued to grow.

The precious metal broke $ 1,900 an ounce early Wednesday, although it still fell slightly as the session progressed.

At 1400 BST, it was trading at around $ 1,898.

Prices were supported by the prospect of higher inflation and a weaker dollar, as gold, a safe-haven asset, has traditionally been viewed as a hedge against high inflation.