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* UK payrolled employees surge by 197,000 in May
* Subprime lender NSF slides on equity raise plans
* FTSE 100 up 0.4%, FTSE 250 off 0.5%
(Updates to close)
By Devik Jain and Amal S
June 15 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 equity index ended
higher on Tuesday, lifted by gains in consumer staples and
energy stocks, although a delay in lifting remaining COVID-19
restrictions in England curbed sentiment across the overall
market.
The blue-chip index rose 0.4% to its highest close
since February 2020 highs. Dollar-earning consumer staples
stocks, including Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser Group
, British American Tobacco and Diageo Plc
gained between 0.58% and 1.77%, on the weaker pound.
Energy stocks gained 0.32% as oil majors
including BP and Royal Dutch Shell gained 0.7%
and 1.8% respectively, tracking crude prices.
The domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index fell
0.5%. Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushed back plans to lift
most remaining COVID-19 restrictions to July 19, citing the
rapid spread of the more infectious Delta variant.
Travel and leisure stocks fell 0.8%, with
Flutter Entertainment Plc and Entain Plc among
the top decliners.
There was good news however on the jobs front, as the number
of employees on British company payrolls surged by a record
197,000 in May as COVID-19 restrictions eased, tax data
showed.
Meanwhile global markets including London are focused on the
U.S. Federal Reserve meeting for clues to a
sooner-than-expected tapering of its monetary policy, prompted
by rising inflation.
"The latest test of the market's more relaxed attitude over
rising prices is likely to come with the next meeting of the
Federal Reserve tomorrow when its position on rates and stimulus
will be announced," said Russ Mould investment director at AJ
Bell.
The FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250 have gained more than 11% this
year, but they have oscillated in a narrow range since mid-April
on worries that a COVID-19 resurgence might crimp the recovery,
and rapid economic growth could lead to higher inflation.
Among stocks, Boohoo Group Plc gained 1.07% after
the British online fashion retailer reported a 32% rise in sales
in its latest quarter benefiting from rising demand as lockdown
restrictions eased.
However, Non-Standard Finance slipped 17.2% as the
subprime lender plans to raise around 80 million pounds ($112.98
million) in the third quarter potentially through a share
sale.
(Reporting by Devik Jain and Amal S in Bengaluru)
