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U.K. stocks advanced on Wednesday, with a weaker pound and gains in oil and iron ore prices on the prospects for stronger global growth helping underpin sentiment. <\/p>\n
Adding to investor optimism over economic recovery, the IHS Markit\/CIPS composite Purchasing Managers’ Index – measuring Britain’s huge services sector and its manufacturers – rose to 56.4 in March from 49.6 in February.<\/p>\n
The benchmark FTSE 100 climbed 57 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6,880 after rallying 1.3 percent on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
AstraZeneca shares were down about 0.6 percent. The University of Oxford announced that it is halting the trial of the Covid vaccine developed by the company on children and teenagers. <\/p>\n
Croda International was marginally higher. The chemicals company announced that its fragrances and flavors subsidiary, Iberchem, has agreed to acquire Parfex S.A., a French fine fragrance business<\/span>, for a total enterprise value of 45 million euros.<\/p>\n Discount carrier Ryanair Holdings gained nearly 1 percent after trimming its annual loss estimate. <\/p>\n Royal Dutch Shell rose half a percent. The oil & gas company said it expects to make the first profit from pumping oil since the start of the pandemic. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n