Persimmon shares gained 2.6 per cent after The Times broke news of the Conservative leadership candidate’s proposal OWEN HUMPHREYS / PAHousebuilders were among the top gainers on the FTSE 100 after The Times revealed Boris Johnson’s plans to cut stamp duty if he is selected as prime minister. Mr Johnson, who is the frontrunner in the Conservative Party leadership race, is considering abolishing the stamp duty levy on homes worth less than £500,000 and reversing tax increases introduced in 2014 for more expensive homes. Housebuilders’ shares rose on the report. Berkeley Group added 105p, or 2.9 per cent, to £36.86; Persimmon gained 49½p, or 2.6 per cent, to £19.87; Taylor Wimpey rose 3¼p, or 2.1 per cent, to 158¾p. The FTSE 100 added 22.97 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 7,425.3 as investors awaited a meeting between the presidents of China and the US at…

Source: The Times June 28, 2019 11:03 UTC