(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock
markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)
* Travel-related stocks down on speculations around delay in
reopening
* Serco jumps on raising 2021 profit outlook
* FTSE 100 up 0.2%, FTSE 250 adds 0.1%
(Updates to close)
By Devik Jain and Amal S
June 14 (Reuters) - British shares ended higher on Monday,
helped by gains in heavyweight energy stocks, while investors
awaited the government's decision on whether it would delay
England's complete reopening from a third national lockdown.
The blue-chip index, which rose as much as 0.7% to
7,187 touching its highest level since February 2020, ended 0.2%
up. Oil majors BP and Royal Dutch Shell gained
1.9% and 2.7% respectively, tracking crude prices.
The domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index
advanced 0.1%.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce that the
planned lifting of restrictions, which would see an end to
limits on social contact, will be delayed following concern
about the rapid rise of infections by the Delta variant of the
coronavirus.
Health minister Matt Hancock will update parliament at
around 1930 GMT after Johnson addresses the public at a news
conference.
"The markets been aware that this (delay in reopening) is
going to happen, and the reaction in the market is minimal,"
said Keith Temperton, equity sales trader at Forte Securities.
Travel-related stocks fell 1.4%, with
International Consolidated Airlines, Compass Group
, Just Eat Takeaway.com and InterContinental
Hotels Group among the top decliners.
"Leisure companies could be worst affected by any delay to
lockdown easing in England as it will require a continuation of
the social distancing rules," said Russ Mould, investment
director at AJ Bell.
After breaking above the 7,000 mark in mid-April, the FTSE
100 has oscillated in a narrow range on worries that a
resurgence in COVID-19 cases might delay the reopening.
Among stocks, outsourcer Serco Group jumped 4.6%
after it raised its 2021 profit outlook.
British broadcaster ITV gained 1% after a report
that the UK would rein in online platforms' power in an effort
to protect public broadcasters.
(Reporting by Devik Jain and Amal S in Bengaluru; Editing by
Subhranshu Sahu and Jonathan Oatis)