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 rose 0.19% to 10,579.32 points by 10:30 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 added 0.59%.
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Industrial metal miners rose 0.8%, tracking prices of base metals; Rio Tinto and Anglo American up 1.6% and 1.3% respectively.
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Britain's economy expanded the most in February in a year, data showed on Thursday.
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Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told BBC News the central bank was "not going to rush to judgements" on interest rate rises.
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Heavyweight financials were up 0.1%; investment firm 3i group rose 1.4%.
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Money manager Ashmore down 3.3% as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran leads to net outflows.
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Construction group Morgan Sindall jumps 8% after lifting profit outlook, sending construction and materials subindex up 2.2%.
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Food retailer Tesco says profit outlook clouded due to uncertainty in the Middle East; shares up 1.13%.
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EasyJet down 3.6% after warning of bigger first-half loss due to the war.
Reporting by Utkarsh Tushar Hathi; Editing by Sahal Muhammed\
Source: Reuters