London stocks closed higher on Thursday (April 14), helped by gains in banking and consumer goods stocks. and rose according to the direction of the European stock market After investors cut their expectations for a rate hike of the European Central Bank (ECB).
The FTSE 100 London Stock Exchange closed at 7,616.38, up 35.58, or +0.47%.
London stock markets rose following European stock markets. After the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at its meeting on Thursday (April 14) amid concerns regarding inflation. including the impact on the economy from the Russian-Ukrainian war
The ECB kept the refinancing rate unchanged at 0%, the lowest level on record. and kept the deposit interest rate that commercial banks have with the ECB at -0.50% while keeping the loan interest rate at 0.25%.
Christine Lagarde, chairman of the ECB, said it would begin raising interest rates following ending asset purchases.
Banking shares rose 1 percent, while consumer goods groups Diageo, Compass Group and Reckitt Benckiser were up 0.8-2.3 percent.
Whiz Air shares were up 7.7 percent following it said summer bookings were expected to increase significantly following Easter.
The London Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday (15 April) and Monday (18 April) for Easter.