UK stocks pushed higher as a global rally — sparked by Nvidia’s upbeat revenue outlook — lifted sentiment across markets.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 climbed 0.5pc, putting it on course to end a five-day losing streak, while the more domestically focused FTSE 250 rose 0.1pc, poised to snap its own six-day decline.
Nvidia’s stronger-than-expected results have rippled through global markets, boosting confidence even in regions like the UK that have relatively limited direct exposure to tech.
The aerospace and defence sector led the rebound, jumping 2.7pc, with Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems both rising more than 2.5pc.
AstraZeneca added around 1pc after its drug to control the growth of non-cancerous tumours secured US approval.
Standout performers included Halma, which rocketed 12.4pc to an all-time high after raising its annual revenue forecast on strong US data centre demand, and Games Workshop, which surged 11.2pc to a record high on an upbeat half-year outlook.
Attention now turns to the delayed US jobs report, a key release that will offer fresh clues on the health of the American economy following the end of the recent government shutdown.
