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UPDATE 2-FTSE 100 ends higher, lockdown anxiety hits mid-caps

Mon, 02nd Nov 2020 10:17

(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock
markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)

* England to enter nationwide lockdown at 0001 GMT Thursday

* Ocado shines on raising earnings outlook

* BoE expected to ramp up its bond-buying programme

* UK-EU to continue Brexit-talks in Brussels

* FTSE 100 up 1.4%, FTSE 250 drops 0.2%
(Updates prices throughout, adds comments)

By Devik Jain and Shreyashi Sanyal

Nov 2 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 index ended higher on
Monday as Ocado led gains after raising its full year earnings
outlook, while mid-caps fell, as England faced the prospect of
entering a nearly one-month lockdown later in the week.

The online supermarket and technology group jumped
8% in its best session in nearly two months. It said it would
buy two robotics companies for a total of $287 million.

The food and drugs retailer sub-index gained
3.7%, while the blue-chip FTSE 100 had its best day in
two weeks, rising 1.4%.

The domestically-focussed FTSE 250 shed 0.2% as
England was set to impose new business restrictions after
midnight on Thursday until Dec. 2.

James Smith, developed market economist at ING expects the
lockdown to shave roughly 6% to 7% off Britain's monthly GDP for
November, but says "the economy probably won't be hit as hard as
in April... the most obvious explanation for this is that this
lockdown is not as restrictive."

The FTSE 100 in October posted its biggest monthly decline
since the pandemic-driven crash in March as fears mounted of a
faltering economic recovery. A Reuters poll of economists
suggested the economy was on course to contract 10% this year,
its worst performance since the early 1700s.

The government on Saturday announced a one-month return to
80% wage subsidies for people temporarily laid off, while the
Bank of England is likely to announce a 100 billion-pound
expansion of its bond buying stimulus at its policy meeting on
Thursday.

Pub and restaurant operators J D Wetherspoon Plc,
Mitchells & Butlers Plc and Marton's fell by
between 0.8% and 7.6%.

Brexit progress was also in focus. European Union and
British negotiators are to continue talks in Brussels as both
sides seek to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade.
(Reporting by Devik Jain and Shreyashi Sanyal in Bengaluru;
Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Barbara Lewis)

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