London stocks rise on Middle East peace optimism
16/04/2026 11:01
For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window April 16 (Reuters) - UK's main stock indexes edged higher on Thursday, supported by strength in materials and financials, as hopes grew for a resolution in the Middle East conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said talks between Washington and Tehran would take place on Thursday. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index .FTSE rose 0.19% to 10,579.32 points by 10:30 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 .FTMC added 0.59%. Industrial metal miners .FTNMX551020 rose 0.8%, tracking prices of base metals; Rio Tinto RIO.L and Anglo American AAL.L up 1.6% and 1.3% respectively. Britain's economy expanded the most in February in a year, data showed on Thursday. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told BBC News the central bank was "not going to rush to judgements" on interest rate rises. Heavyweight financials .FTNMX301010 were up 0.1%; investment firm 3i group III.L rose 1.4%. Money manager Ashmore down 3.3% as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran leads to net outflows. Construction group Morgan Sindall MGNS.L jumps 8% after lifting profit outlook, sending construction and materials .FTNMX501010 subindex up 2.2%. Food retailer Tesco TSCO.L says profit outlook clouded due to uncertainty in the Middle East; shares up 1.13%. EasyJet EZJ.L down 3.6% after warning of bigger first-half loss due to the war. (Reporting by Utkarsh Tushar Hathi; Editing by Sahal Muhammed) ((utkarshtushar.hathi@thomsonreutes.com))