The FTSE 100 index in the showed a slight increase just before noon on Wednesday, as stocks exhibited a mixed performance in cautious trading ahead of the autumn budget announcement scheduled for later in the day. Federal Reserve interest rate reduction Expectations and indications of advancement in Ukraine peace negotiations contribute to bolstering sentiment.

Report shows an agreement has been reached regarding a peace deal facilitated by the Trump administration aimed at halting Russia’s nearly four-year aggression, with specific details yet to be finalized. Reports indicate that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may visit the U.S. prior to the conclusion of November to finalize an agreement. The British pound appreciated against the dollar in anticipation of the 2025 Autumn Budget announcement by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves. Where as –

• Fresnillo, Endeavour Mining, and Antofagasta experienced increases of 4%, 3.7%, and 2.1%,
  respectively. Anglo American Plc experienced an increase of 1.5%.
• JD Sports Fashion experienced an increase of nearly 3%, Burberry Group saw a gain of 2%,
  while Polar Capital Technology Trust and Melrose Industries rose by 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively.
• Mondi, Standard Chartered, Associated British Foods, Halma, United Utilities, BT Group, Admiral Group, Beazley, RightMove, Scottish Mortgage, and Marks & Spencer stood out as notable gainers.
• WPP and The Sage Group experienced declines of 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively,
  placing them among the laggards.
• Diageo experienced a decline of approximately 1.4%, while DCC, EasyJet, and Hikma Pharmaceuticals saw a decrease of 1%.

The chancellor is expected to announce a series of tax increases aimed at addressing the deficit in public finances following the announcement of changes to the minimum wage on Tuesday. The FTSE 100, which experienced a minor decline at the outset, was up 19.47 points or 0.2% at 9,629.00 recently.