FTSE in black, after briefly topping 6,225

The London markets closed in the black despite coming under pressure from China-hong Kong tensions and a tepid opening in the US. The FTSE 100 hit its latest twomonth high – closing 74.54 points higher at 6,218.79 – as traders remained optimistic despite the US revealing worse-than-predicted jobless figures.

Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said: “Even with the Dow Jones losing some of its swagger, the European indices clung fiercely to their optimistic rally on Thursday. For the FTSE, it had to overcome the heavy losses incurred by Standard Chartered and HSBC, which fell 4.6 per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively on the Chinahong Kong developments.

“That didn’t stop the UK from climbing, briefly sauntering past 6,225 for the first time since early March.”

HSBC and Standard Chartered retreated as finance firms were weighed down by concerns over the latest wave of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Across the Atlantic, the Dow Jones made marginal gains despite new figures revealing that the US economy contracted by 5 per cent in the first quarter.

However, the gains were much more muted that predicted as tensions in Hong Kong also caused caution among traders.

Meanwhile,sterlingnudgedhigherdespite Michael Saunders of the Bank of England saying the bank does not have much wriggle room in terms of monetary policy.

The value of the pound rose 0.52 per cent versus the US dollar at $1.232, and was up 0.01 per cent against the euro at €1.114.

Retailers, such as Next and Burberry, bounced higher as preparations continue to get stores reopened in some parts of the UK on 15 June.

Online retailer Boohoo rose 49.7p to 384.6p after buying the remaining stake of Pretty Little Thing from its founder and operating chief for £269.8 million.

Cineworld shares leapt higher after it said it hopes to start showing films in all its cinemas in July. Shares closed 16.56p higher at 93.84p as a result.

Elsewhere, Easyjet gained altitude despite announcing that up to 4,500 staff could lose their jobs. Its shares ended the day 31.4p up at 740p.