London Report: FTSE rises on reports of Ukrainian cease fire deal with Russia
BRITAIN’S top equity index yesterday touched its highest level in more than 14 years amid signs that Ukraine and Russia were working to end the conflict between them over eastern Ukraine.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index briefly hit 6,898.62 points, its highest level since early 2000, after Ukraine said a “permanent ceasefire” had been agreed with Russia.
The FTSE edged back when the Kremlin later denied President Vladimir Putin had agreed a truce, saying Russia was not a party to the conflict.
But the index closed up by 0.7 per cent, or 44.41 points, at 6,873.58 points.
Industrial equipment hire firm Ashtead was the best-performing FTSE 100 stock in percentage terms, rising 3.6 per cent to 1,022p after it raised its full-year earnings guidance.
However, financial advisory company Hargreaves Lansdown missed out on the broader market rally, falling 5.8 per cent to 1,073p, after its profit growth slightly missed market forecasts and it failed to reassure investors about the impact of new regulations.