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* FTSE 100 down 0.1%, FTSE 250 up 0.4%
July 9 (Reuters) - The FTSE 100 headed lower on Thursday,
pressured by a selloff in financial and defensive sectors, while
homebuilders jumped on signs of a pickup in the housing sector.
Persimmon PSN.L , Taylor Wimpey TW.L and Barratt
Development BDEV.L jumped to the top of the FTSE 100 after
data showed buyers returned to Britain's property market last
month as it reopened from a coronavirus-led lockdown.
Persimmon also pointed to strong reservations since
reopening its sales offices. The blue-chip index .FTSE was down 0.1%, with consumer
staples and utilities stocks the biggest drags. The mid-cap FTSE
250 .FTMC added 0.4%, tracking gains in Asian stocks on hopes
that an economic recovery in China remained intact. MKTS/GLOB
Recruiter Robert Walters RWA.L jumped 4.8% as it said it
was performing in line with market forecasts for the full year
despite reporting a fall in second-quarter net fee income.