April 10 (Reuters) - The main UK stock indexes rose on Friday, poised for weekly gains, as investors awaited key U.S. inflation reading later in the day and peace talks between U.S. and Iranian officials over the weekend.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.3% by 1140 GMT, on track for its third week of gains in a row. The midcap FTSE 250 jumped 1%, set for its second consecutive week of gains.
-
Global stocks were sanguine as traders awaited the outcome of the U.S.-Iran peace talks set to be held in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on Saturday.
-
The Strait of Hormuz remained shut on Friday and Israel traded fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which the United States and Iran each described as violations of their ceasefire deal.
-
Stocks rebounded earlier this week as oil prices slid following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire to the Middle East conflict, raising expectations of a revival in shipping through the strait.
-
However, the flow of oil from the Gulf remains heavily restricted, keeping futures prices near $100 a barrel.
-
Investor focus was also on U.S. inflation data at 8.30 a.m. ET (1230 GMT), expected to show consumer prices likely recorded their biggest increase in nearly four years in March.
-
AO World gained 6.9% after the British electronics retailer said it expected annual profit at the top end of its forecast range, after gaining market share across all key categories in its consumer-focused business.
-
B&M's shares fell 3.6% as interim CFO Helen Cowing left the British discount retailer after less than five months in the job, the company said.
-
Wizz Air surged 9.7% after a Bloomberg report said Ukraine's top negotiator with Russia saw progress towards a potential peace deal with Russia.
Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore
Source: Reuters