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British stocks mark strongest session in three-years after Trump's tariff reversal

ReutersApr 10, 2025 4:49 PM
  • BoE's Breeden says interest rate implications from US tariffs unclear
  • All FTSE 350 sub-sectors traded higher
  • Tesco warns profit to fall as it prepares for price war
  • FTSE 100 up 3%, FTSE 250 up 3.5%

- British stocks closed higher on Thursday, after U.S. President Donald Trump dialled back duty rates on goods from many countries for 90 days, giving respite to investors following the global market rout.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE rose 3%, posting its biggest one-day jump since March 2022.

The midcap FTSE 250 index .FTMC climbed 3.5%, notching up its biggest single-day gain since July 2023.

Trump on Wednesday suspended most of the heftiest tariffs less than 24 hours after they kicked in, however, the White House said a 10% blanket duty on most U.S. imports remained in effect.

In response, the European Union on Thursday also put on hold for 90 days its first countermeasures against Trump's levies.

However, Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 125% from 104%, and Beijing's countered with 84% levies on U.S. goods, keeping investors on edge amid fears of recession.

All FTSE 350 sub-sectors traded higher, with personal goods .FTNMX402040 stocks leading the gains, up 6%.

Precious and industrial metal miners .FTNMX551020 rose 5.3% and 3.7%, respectively.

Bullion rose more than 1%, extending the previous session's sharp rise on safe-haven demand amid the U.S.-China trade war. GOL/

Copper and other base metals prices also rebounded sharply, along with other risk assets after most U.S. tariffs were halted. MET/L

Among individual stocks, Tesco TSCO.L fell 6.1%, after Britain's biggest food retailer warned its profit would likely fall this year as it set aside cash to deal with a step up in the "competitive intensity" of the market.

On the data front, U.S. consumer prices unexpectedly fell 0.1% in March, but inflation risks remain high amid the U.S.-China trade war.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden said the impact on UK inflation from Trump's tariffs - and the implications for interest rates - remained unclear even if Washington's new policies were likely to lower growth.

For related prices, Reuters users may click on -  UK stock report     .L     FTSE index:         0#.FTS6  techMARK 100 index: .FTT1X         FTSE futures:     0#FFI:  Gilt futures:       0#FLG:         Smallcap index:    .FTSC  FTSE 250 index:     .FTMC          FTSE 350 index:    .FTLC  Market digest:      .AD.L          Top 10 by vol:     .AV.L  Top price gainers:  .NG.L          Top % gainers:     .PG.L  Top price losers:   .NL.L          Top % losers:      .PL.L 
     For related news, click on - UK hot stocks:      HOT and GB     Wall Street:          .N Gilts report:       GB/            Euro bond report GVD/EUR Pan European stock report: .EU Tokyo stocks:       .T             HK stocks:           .HK Sterling report:    GBP/           Dollar report:      USD/
     For company prices, click on - Company directory:  UKEQ          By sector:          FTAX 
     For pan-European market data, click on - European Equities speed guide................ EUR/EQUITY  FTSE Eurotop 300 index........................... .FTEU3  DJ STOXX index................................... .STOXX  Top 10 STOXX sectors........................ .PGL.STOXXS  Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors................... .PGL.STOXXES  Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors.................. .PGL.FTEU3S  Top 25 European pct gainers.................... .PG.PEUR  Top 25 European pct losers..................... .PL.PEUR 
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