The FTSE 100 rose 0.34% to 10,872.62 points and the FTSE 250 gained 0.25%, as positive corporate earnings lifted sentiment. Britain's economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter, its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years.
The FTSE 100 climbed on Thursday, led by healthcare and industrials, as investors digested economic growth data. The aerospace and defence sector gained 1.4%; Rolls-Royce rose 2.8% after reaffirming its full-year forecast and announcing a £1.5 billion share buyback. AstraZeneca and GSK gained 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively.
Burberry jumped 9.4% after reporting second-quarter sales and profit above estimates. Persimmon gained 6.2% after forecasting a further increase in housing volumes in 2027, while B&M rose 18.3% after saying annual profit may rise by up to 16%. Shell and BP each slipped 0.6%, tracking lower crude oil prices, and Endeavour Mining fell 6.3% after forecasting full-year gold production at the lower end of its outlook.
Britain's economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter, supported by strong services activity and AI-related demand. A Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors survey showed the house price balance fell to -36 in October from -34 in September; agreed sales weakened to -24 from -18, and the 12-month sales outlook dropped to -17.
