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UPDATE 2-FTSE 100 lifted by Experian, recovery hopes persist

Wed, 20th May 2020 09:50

(For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon
news window)

* Data firm Experian records strong annual revenue

* Rolls-Royce rises on flagging job cuts

* M&S jumps on accelerating turnaround plan

* FTSE 100 up 1.1%, FTSE 250 adds 0.3%
(Adds comments, updates prices to close)

By Shreyashi Sanyal

May 20 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 index rose on
Wednesday, rebounding from an early fall partly thanks to solid
quarterly results from data firm Experian, while investors
remained hopeful of a recovery after the looming new
coronavirus-induced recession.

The world's biggest credit data firm Experian Plc
jumped 7.4% to a more-than-10-week high after it reported higher
annual revenue.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 gained 1.1%, after falling as
much as 0.7% earlier in the day. The mid-cap FTSE 250
added 0.3%, extending its rally to a fourth day.

The FTSE 100 has now recovered about 22% from its March lows
as governments and central banks launched historic stimulus
measures to aid businesses and families impacted by a near
standstill in activity due to the pandemic.

"The market is taking notice of ongoing signs of potentially
concrete fiscal response from the government," said Will James,
senior investment director, European equities at Aberdeen
Standard Investments.

"There are signs now that suggest the government sees that
the problem is serious and they are going to do something about
it."

Bolstering expectations of more Bank of England stimulus
next month, data showed Britain's inflation rate sank in April
to its lowest since August 2016.

Rolls-Royce rose 2.3% after the company said it plans
to cut at least 9,000 jobs, or more than a sixth of its
workforce.

UK homebuilder Vistry Group Plc shed 4% on
forecasting more job cuts as it consolidates the operations of
Bovis Homes and construction company Galliford Try's
residential units.

But Playtech Plc surged 6% after posting a jump in
first-quarter profit as its financial trading division benefited
from increased market volatility and trading volumes.

Retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc jumped 10.8% as
it said it would accelerate its latest turnaround programme
after reporting a 21% fall in annual profit.
(Reporting by Shreyashi Sanyal and Sagarika Jaisinghani in
Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Hugh Lawson)

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