The UK's benchmark index hit a new high on Thursday after upbeat regional data underscored the economy's resilience, while a strong earnings run boosted financials. The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE), opens new tab was up 0.45% as of 1028 GMT. The domestically focused mid-cap index (.FTMC), opens new tab added 0.7% to hit a four-year high.
Britain's economy grew 0.3% in November, its fastest pace since June, helped by Jaguar Land Rover's return to full production after a cyberattack.
Sterling was marginally down against the dollar after the data release, which failed to affect the policy rate outlook, with traders pricing in around 40 basis points (bps) of Bank of England rate cuts by September.
Fund manager Ashmore Group (ASHM.L), opens new tab topped the FTSE 250 with a 17% jump after reporting strong net inflows, and Schroders (SDR.L), opens new tab led the FTSE 100, rising 8% after it said annual profit would beat market forecasts.
They powered their index, the investment banks and brokerages (.FTNMX302020), opens new tab, up 3.2%, outperforming its peers. Banks also strengthened, with Barclays (BARC.L), opens new tab, Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L), opens new tab, NatWest (NWG.L), opens new tab and HSBC (HSBA.L), opens new tab rising between 1.4% and 1.9%.
On the flipside, precious metal miners' index (.FTNMX551030), opens new tab slipped 1.3% as gold eased after investors booked profits following a record high in the previous session, while a softer tone from U.S. President Donald Trump on the Federal Reserve chair and Iran also kept a lid on further gains.
Burberry (BRBY.L), opens new tab was also a drag, down 4.2%, mirroring a decline in marquee luxury names in Europe.
Homeware retailer Dunelm's (DNLM.L), opens new tab sank 17.6% after warning that a challenging macroeconomic environment and cautious consumer spending would eat into its annual profit.
Elsewhere, Oxford Biomedica (OXB.L), opens new tab jumped 10% after the cell and gene therapy manufacturer confirmed receipt of an unsolicited all-cash offer from funds managed by EQT. Wizz Air (WIZZ.L), opens new tab rose 4.8% after CEO Jozsef Varadi raised the budget carrier's growth projection for this fiscal year.
