FTSE 100 climbed 0.5% as UK Q1 2026 GDP rose 0.6% quarter‑on‑quarter, annual growth reaching 1.1% to March 31.
March monthly GDP increased 0.3%, beating a 0.1% contraction forecast, driven mainly by services, construction and production in the UK economy.
Investor sentiment rose after the Trump‑Xi summit in Beijing, where leaders pledged the Strait of Hormuz stay open and Iran stay nuclear‑free.
Princes Group profit jumped 17% to £38.2 m, ITV pursued a £1.6 bn Sky sale, and Spire Healthcare received a £1 bn, 66% premium offer.