As gold hit a record high while silver soared on hopes of rate cuts in the US and an improving outlook in China, Fresnillo led the FTSE 100. Officials on both sides of the Atlantic have signalled that borrowing costs could be lowered in the summer. The FTSE 100 rose 0.1 per cent, or 3.94 points, to 8424.20 and the FTSE 250 was up 0.6 per cent, or 123.43 points, to 20,873.33. Itaconix, which makes ingredients used in air fresheners, hair gel and dog shampoos, reported a positive start to the year. Victorian Plumbing gained 8.9 per cent, or 7.6p, to 93p after it bought fellow bathroom retailer Victoria Plum for £22.5million.

Source: Daily Mail May 21, 2024 05:59 UTC