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Strong earnings drive FTSE 100 higher; midcaps underperform

Published 29/04/2021, 08:23
© Reuters.

(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock
markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)
* FTSE 100 up 0.7%, FTSE 250 adds 0.2%

April 29 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 climbed on Thursday,
boosted by a series of positive earnings updates from companies,
including Smith+Nephew and Unilever , while a fall in shares of
WH Smith capped gains on the midcap index.
The blue-chip index .FTSE rose 0.7% with medical products
maker Smith+Nephew SN.L jumping 4.6% to the top of the index
after it reinstated its 2021 outlook following revenue growth in
first quarter. The index was also supported by Unilever ULVR.L , which
rose 3.5% after it beat quarterly sales forecasts, helped by a
pick up in home cooking during coronavirus lockdowns and a
strong economic recovery in China. The domestically focused midcap FTSE 250 index .FTMC
advanced 0.2%.
WH Smith SMWH.L slipped 4.6% after it warned of the
possible risk of breaching its covenant tests in 2022 and
launched a potential 325 million-pound ($450 million) bonds
offering as the retailer navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.

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