1203 GMT - Shares in U.K. housebuilders gain on hopes that the country's construction sector hit a low-point, AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould says. Stocks climb as the U.K. S&P Purchase Managers' Index nudged up to 40.1 in December from 39.4 the prior month, but fell short of analysts' expectations. Close to 40% of managers surveyed predicted a rise in output levels in 2026, compared to 20% forecasting a decline. Housebuilders' shares benefited from a low starting point born from pervading pessimism about the U.K. economy last year and further interest rate cuts ahead, Mould says. Barratt Redrow gains 3%, while Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey rise 2.6% and 2.3%, respectively. (josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 07, 2026 07:03 ET (12:03 GMT)

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