FTSE 100 hits its third record high in one week
Carney raise the prospect of further growth ahead, having blamed the first-quarter slowdown on temporary and “idiosyncratic” factors including snowfalls.
In oil markets, Brent crude prices jumped 1.1% to around US$80.33 per barrel as traders weighed the prospect of reduced supplies from Venezuela and Iran – with the latter facing renewed sanctions from the US.
In UK stocks, Marks & Spencer dropped to the bottom of the FTSE 100 after the retailer said it was going to close 100 stores by 2020.
Traders took a poor view of the company’s prospects, sending shares down 8.6p to 291.8p.
Royal Dutch Shell’s ‘B’ shares fell 14.5p to 2,826.5p amid news that 25.2% of shareholders rejected Shell’s remuneration report over an €8.9 million (£7.8m) package for chief executive Ben van Beurden.
Away from the top tier, Halfords’ shares fell 45.6p at 342.4p after the motor accessories and bikes retailer reported a 6% fall in full-year profits to £67.1m – partly due to rising costs linked to the Brexit-hit pound.
Topps Tiles’ shares rose 2.2p to 71.2p despite the group reporting a 32.6% plunge in half-year pre-tax profits.
Entertainment One also fell 3.6p to 285.4p despite logging a rise in full-year pre-tax profits from £35.9m to £77.6m, thanks in part to the popularity of Peppa Pig.
■ The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Fresnillo up 45.5p to 1,315.5p, Mediclinic International up 22p to 686p, Micro Focus International up 44p to 1,386p, and Melrose Industries up 5.1p to 247p.
■ The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Marks & Spencer down 8.6p to 291.8p, Tui down 42.5p to 1,768p, Paddy Power Betfair down 125p to 8,665p and BAE Systems down 7.6p to 646.2p.