* FTSE 100 up 1.2%, FTSE 250 up 0.8%
* ECB chief promises stimulus if economy does not improve
* Miners, oil shares among biggest support
* AstraZeneca the biggest boost to FTSE 100
* Ashtead jumps after annual results
(Adds news items, analyst comment, updates to closing prices)
By Muvija M and Yadarisa Shabong
June 18 (Reuters) - London's main stock index recorded its
best one-day gain in more than four months on Tuesday as a
promise of more stimulus if required from European Central Bank
(ECB) chief Mario Draghi lifted UK shares across sectors.
The FTSE 100 index .FTSE ended 1.2% higher, after having
earlier touched levels not seen in two months, and the FTSE 250
midcap index .FTMC added 0.8% after Draghi said the central
bank would need to ease policy again if inflation did not head
back to its target.
The ECB's comments came in the midst of a two-day meeting of
the U.S. Federal Reserve that money market pricing shows should
clear the way to a cut in interest rates by the central bank
next month. "Market participants are more confident about the Fed as its
two-day meeting starts, particularly as the ECB is sounding more
dovish," Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson said.
"The appetizer from Draghi has whet markets' appetite for a
feast. They may be left hungry."
After falling for the first month this year in May and with
Tuesday's gains, the FTSE 100 is on course for its biggest rise
in 14 months on growing hopes of more official moves to help
growth after a period of turbulence over U.S.-China trade
tensions.
Tool hire firm Ashtead AHT.L was the biggest blue-chip
gainer after its 2019 revenue surpassed analysts' expectations.
The stock jumped 6.1% on its best day in over 2-1/2 years.
Tesco TSCO.L , Britain's biggest retailer, rose 3.7% after
it said it was targeting further margin improvements beyond the
end of its current recovery plan. Drugmaker AstraZeneca AZN.L was the biggest boost after
its cancer medicine Lynparza was approved as a first-line
maintenance treatment for a type of advanced ovarian cancer by
the European Commission.
Oil majors and miners also played their part in bolstering
the index after the U.S. said it would hold an extensive meeting
with China at the G20 summit later this month. O/R
An index of mining stocks .FTNMX1770 climbed 2.5%, its
best in nearly five months, as a key mine in Chile halved output
due to a strike, pushing copper prices higher.
FTSE 250 component and contractor Kier Group KIE.L surged
11% after steep falls in the previous session when it announced
plans to sell businesses, suspended its dividend and said it
would cut hundreds of jobs. Capital & Counties Properties CAPCC.L advanced 5% to be
among top mid-cap risers after media reports that Canary Wharf
Group was in preliminary talks to buy most of its stake in Earls
Court, in which Capco has a holding.