UPDATE 2-Brexit optimism breathes life into UK-focussed stocks

* FTSE 100 up 0.3%, FTSE 250 up 1.2%
* LSE gains after rejecting Hong Kong bid
* Homebuilders biggest gainers on both indexes
* Brexit-sensitive stocks jump
* Dollar earners weigh on main index

(Adds news items, analyst comment, updates to closing price)
By Yadarisa Shabong and Muvija M
Sept 13 (Reuters) - UK stocks ended Friday on a high note as
optimism that a no-deal Brexit could be avoided spurred a rally
in stocks with domestic exposure, overpowering losses in
blue-chip exporter stocks that were hit by a stronger sterling.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE rose 0.3%, with homebuilder Barratt
BDEV.L jumping nearly 6% to top the gainers. The country's
big banks Lloyds LLOY.L , Royal Bank of Scotland RBS.L and
Barclays BARC.L added more than 5%.
The mid-cap index .FTMC climbed 1.2% to a near one-year
high, tracking gains in the local currency.
A surge in the pound was triggered by a media report that
Northern Ireland's largest political party had agreed to accept
some European Union rules after Brexit. Adding to the positive sentiment, British Prime Minister
Boris Johnson said there was "the rough shape of a deal to be
done" over Brexit, as he prepared to meet European Commission
President Jean-Claude Juncker next week in a renewed push to
reach an agreement. "Sterling's breakout coincides with a breakout of optimism,
albeit slight, that a thaw in the impasse between Brussels and
London may be beginning," City Index analyst Ken Odeluga said.
Gains for the pound prompted a sell-off in exporter stocks
including Diageo DGE.L and British American Tobacco BATS.L ,
keeping a lid on FTSE 100's gains for the day.
An index of housebuilders .FTNMX3720 , which are vulnerable
to a hit to house prices in event of a disruptive
no-dealcBrexit, rose 0.7% to its highest since late July.
London Stock Exchange LSE.L gained 3.6% after it rejected
a $39 billion takeover offer from Hong Kong Exchanges and
Clearing 0388.HK . The Asian bourse responded by saying it
would continue engaging with LSE shareholders regarding the bid.
The FTSE 100 took home its third straight week of gains as
hopes for more stimulus and signs of improvement in global trade
relations have helped the index recover after suffering its
biggest monthly fall this year in August.
Adding fuel to the rally, Credit Suisse turned bullish on UK
stocks, especially those with international exposure, as the
chances of the country crashing out of the European Union fall
and some equities look cheap compared with foreign counterparts.
Broadcaster ITV ITV.L rose 5% after Liberum called SDN,
its digital multiplex operator, a "hidden gem" that could fetch
up to 750 million pounds to 1 billion pounds if sold.
While housebuilders were powering gains for the midcap
index, gold miner Centamin CEY.L plunged 7% after downbeat
production forecast.