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UK FTSE 100 Hits 3-Week High on Financials, Lower Yields

Oct 13 (Reuters) - Britain's blue-chip ​index rose to a three-week high on Tuesday, lifted by ‌financial stocks, while retreating oil prices and easing bond yields also supported risk appetite.

The FTSE 100 index rose 0.73% to 10,762.01 points to its highest since September ​23 by 10:23 AM GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 ​was up 0.28%.

  • Oil prices dropped 2% on prospects of additional ⁠diesel supplies from Russia

  • UK's 10-year benchmark gilt yields fell nearly 5 basis ​points to 5.40%

  • The broader banks sector was up 1.2%; NatWest advanced 2.6% ​after Barclays upgraded the stock to "overweight" from "equal-weight"

  • British finance minister John Healey will not raise capital gains tax to the same level as income tax, the FT reported on Tuesday, ​citing four sources

  • The International Monetary Fund said that Britain needs to ​keep deficit reduction on track

  • "John Healey will opt for a compromise Budget on Wednesday 28th ‌October, ⁠with limited implications for the economy and the markets," said Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist, Capital Economics, in a note

  • BP shares rose 1.3% to a six-month high after the energy giant estimated its third-quarter ​refining margins tripled ​from last year

  • Melrose ⁠Industries led gains on the FTSE 100 with a 3.6% rise, after the GKN Aerospace owner said its ​Garden Grove plant in California was on track to ​resume operations ⁠by the fourth quarter

  • Premier Inn owner Whitbread rose 2.2% to its highest since March after unveiling a five-year turnaround plan and recommending that shareholders vote ⁠against activist ​investor Corvex Management's demand for a board ​seat

  • Among other sectors, healthcare gained 1.7%, and precious metal miners added 1.5%, tracking higher gold ​and silver prices

Reporting by Darshan Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed

Source: Reuters


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