The blue-chip FTSE 100 index ended up 1.3 per cent, with bank stocks, HSBC Holdings, Lloyds Banking group, and Barclays Plc, gaining between 3.6 per cent and 4.3 per cent. ― Reuters picLONDON, March 9 ― British stocks ended higher yesterday, led by gains in banks and mining stocks as optimism around a swifter economic recovery and the easing of a stringent lockdown lifted spirits.
“The market is following the optimism from the first day of lockdown easing, as well a bit of good news from the US stimulus ... the virus is under control, lockdown coming to an end and Brexit pretty much done and dusted,” said Michael Baker, analyst at ETX Capital. Last week, Britain's finance minister, Rishi Sunak, announced support for businesses, while on Saturday, the US Senate passed a US$1.9 trillion Covid-19 aid bill.