How did the UK benefit from the acquisition of the Suez Canal?

In 1875 England acquired part of the shares of the company that built and controls the Suez Canal. It was a profitable deal for the country, despite the fact that the British government had to pay a lot (4 million pounds). The acquisition of the Suez Canal was part of the “Eastern question” policy. In addition, England received enormous benefits: now the path to India, “the pearl of the British Empire”, was shortened by several thousand miles, which increased and accelerated trade with this colony.