London stocks rise on Middle East peace optimism

April 16 (Reuters) - UK's ​main ‌stock indexes edged higher on Thursday, supported by strength in ⁠materials and financials, as hopes grew ⁠for a resolution in ​the Middle East conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump said talks between Washington and Tehran would take place on Thursday.

The blue-chip FTSE ​100 ‌index rose 0.19% to 10,579.32 points by 10:30 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 added 0.59%.

* Industrial metal miners rose 0.8%, tracking prices of base metals; Rio ​Tinto and Anglo American up 1.6% and 1.3% respectively.

* Britain's ‌economy expanded the most in February in a year, data showed on Thursday.

* Bank ‌of England Governor Andrew Bailey told BBC News the central bank was "not going to rush to judgements" on interest rate ​rises.

* Heavyweight financials were up 0.1%; investment firm 3i group rose ‌1.4%.

* Money manager Ashmore down 3.3% as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran leads to net outflows.

* Construction group ⁠Morgan Sindall ⁠jumps 8% after lifting profit outlook, ‌sending construction and materials subindex up 2.2%.

* Food retailer Tesco says profit ​outlook clouded due ​to uncertainty in the Middle East; ‌shares up 1.13%.

* EasyJet down 3.6% after warning of bigger first-half loss due to the war.

Rio Tinto

Anglo American

3i Group

Morgan Sindall Group

Tesco

easyJet

Shell

Astrazeneca

Ashmore Group