UK stocks advance on banking-sector strength
EWU•The FTSE 100 rose 0.58% to 10,614.30 points and the FTSE 250 gained 0.21%, with financial stocks among the top gainers. Investors looked ahead to US inflation data and UK GDP figures due later this week.
1. Financial shares lead gains
Britain’s FTSE 100 inched higher on Thursday, supported by financial stocks. HSBC Holdings, Standard Life, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, NatWest and Standard Chartered rose between 1.2% and 1.9%.
2. Investors await economic data
Investors looked to US inflation data due later this week and UK GDP estimates for August, due Thursday, for clues on the economic outlook. Attention was also on a speech by Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden for indications on the interest-rate trajectory.
