- FTSE 100, FTSE 250 up 0.1%
- UK retail sales for April rise much more than expected
- Consumer confidence rises in May
- AJ Bell gains after posting 12% rise in profit
May 23 (Reuters) - Britain's main stock indexes rose on Friday, led by metal mining stocks, with positive economic data and declining bond yields aiding investor sentiment.
By 1020 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 was up 0.1% and was poised for a second week of gains.
Meanwhile, the domestically-focussed midcap index also gained 0.1%. However, it was down 0.8% this week, on track to break its six-week-long winning streak.
Stocks came under pressure earlier this week as concerns over rising debt in the U.S. and a higher-than-expected UK government budget deficit dampened investor sentiment.
The benchmark 10-year gilt yield eased on Friday along with its U.S. counterpart after surging earlier this week as the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping tax and spending bill.
On the day, data showed that British retail sales volumes were boosted by sunny weather and jumped for the fourth straight month in April, suggesting consumers might be a bright spot in an otherwise drab outlook for the economy.
A separate report from market research firm GfK revealed that Britain's consumers turned a bit more confident in May, which might reflect the impact of falling interest rates and ease in global trade tensions.
Precious metal miners advanced 1.7% as gold prices surged 1% and were on track for their best week in six weeks.
Industrial metal miners rose 1.3% after copper prices in London edged higher, supported by a weaker dollar.
Travel and leisure sub-index gained over 1% with budget airline easyJet rising 4.2% after at least three brokerages raised their price target on the stock.
Investment platform, AJ Bell was the top gainer on the mid-cap index after posting a 12% year-on-year rise in half-yearly profit on increased client activity. Its shares jumped 6.2%.
Games Workshop slipped 4% to the bottom of the blue-chip index after Peel Hunt downgraded the miniature war-games maker, saying it expects U.S. tariffs to cost around 10 million pounds.
Reporting by Twesha Dikshit and Ragini Mathur; Editing by Leroy Leo
Source: Reuters