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UK's FTSE 100 hits record high as favourable data increases belief

Britain's FTSE 100 struck a fresh record high up on Friday, led by gains in homebuilder stocks, while softerthanexpected U.S. jobs data improved financier belief.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 ended the session up 0.5%,. after hitting a fresh record high of 8,213.49 points previously in. the day. The FTSE 250 touched its greatest levels given that. February in 2015 and ended 0.6% greater. Both indexes. signed up a second straight week of gains.

Signs of easing inflation, hopes of early rate of interest cuts. by the Bank of England and attractive prices have helped enhance. investor interest in UK equities.

In the U.S., investors responded favourably to the release. of information showing

slower-than-expected

task development and a dip in yearly wage growth in April, which. increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve would cut. rates of interest later this year.

Rate-sensitive homebuilders led sectoral. gains with a 4.3% jump.

Meanwhile, UK service companies saw their activity surge. to the highest level in practically a year in April despite increased. cost pressures, signalling robust financial growth.

Anglo American advanced 1.2% after reported. that Glencore was considering making a deal for the. mining giant, a move that could trigger a bidding war.

Investors are drooling at the possibility that there will. be this enormous bidding war for Anglo American. All miners now. are taking a look at copper, thinking about how much need has. rose, and they're seeking to have the lion's share of the. market, said Danni Hewson, head of monetary analysis at AJ. Bell.

Shares of InterContinental Hotels Group led decreases. on the FTSE 100 with a 2.1% drop after the business reported its. first-quarter results.

Trainline rose 6.6% to the top of FTSE 250 as the. rail ticketing business stated it sees strong net ticket sales. development.

(source: Reuters)