0959 MT - Shares in U.K. utilities companies rose and led the FTSE 100 index as these companies with defensive qualities--those not dependent on economic conditions for demand to fluctuate--were on investor's shopping lists following U.S. President Trump's Liberation Day speech, AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth says. Furthermore, the U.K. is a relative winner as its 10% tariff rate is among the lowest of those announced, he says. "Relative to the EU's 20% tariff, the U.K. is looking much stronger and there is speculation [Prime Minister Keir Starmer] would prefer to do deals to lower the rate rather than retaliate," Coatsworth says. Shares in Severn Trent, SSE and United Utilities were up 3.2%, 3.1% and 3% respectively. (anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 03, 2025 05:59 ET (09:59 GMT)
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