The UK's FTSE 100 extended its rebound on Wednesday as investors took comfort from reports about US efforts to bring the Iran war to a close, while also assessing Britain's latest inflation data, reports Reuters.
Washington sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.
The US was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the 15-point plan, Israel's Channel 12 reported, quoting three sources.
These developments helped the blue-chip FTSE 100 index rise 1.1 per cent at 1028 GMT and the midcap FTSE 250 rise 1.3 per cent. British consumer price inflation held at 3.0 per cent in February, unchanged from January's rate, official figures showed on Wednesday, ahead of a likely upward lurch as war in the Middle East pushes up prices.
Markets have priced in two or three quarter-point hikes this year, with the Bank of England sharply increasing its inflation forecast, predicting it would rise towards 3.5 per cent by the middle of the year.
The energy sub-index fell 0.2 per cent after oil prices fell on prospects of a ceasefire in the Middle East war. Oil major Shell fell 0.6 per cent.
London's FTSE 100 climbs
FE Team | Published: March 25, 2026 22:08:34
London's FTSE 100 climbs
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