FTSE 100 adds 2% on positive data
- Published
(Close): London's benchmark index rose 2% as investors welcomed news that UK retail sales had risen at their fastest annual rate in more than 10 years.
Additionally, news that US central bank would take a "patient" approach to raising interest rates buoyed international markets.
The FTSE 100 closed up 129.52 points, or 2%, at 6,466.
Financial services firms Old Mutual and Aberdeen Asset Management both rose by more than 5%.
Brewer SABMiller added 5.6%, while British tech firm ARM Holdings added 4.9%.
British Airways owner IAG ended the day 4.5% higher, after revealing that the Irish carrier Aer Lingus had rejected its takeover offer.
Aer Lingus shares, meanwhile, were almost 9% higher.
The pound was up 0.6% against the dollar at $1.5662 and rose by 1% against the euro to €1.2742.