Global stock markets made a flying start to the week amid renewed optimism that the pandemic can be beaten.
In London the FTSE 100 finished up 166.32 points at 6756.11 – the highest level for six weeks but still 14 per cent below the record levels of 2018.
At the same time the FTSE 250 climbed 381.43 points at 21418.90, an 11-month high, and is now just 3 per cent below its pre-pandemic peak.
Shot in the arm: In London the FTSE 100 finished up 166.32 points at 6756.11 – the highest level for six weeks but still 14 per cent below the record levels of 2018
Investor optimism was being driven by the successful vaccine rollout across the UK which caused hospitality and travel stocks to tick up.
The optimism was felt across the globe and in Japan the Nikkei finished 1.9 per cent higher to top 30,000-point level for the first time since 1990.
The index still needs to gain 30 per cent to surpass its record of 38,915.87, reached in 1989.
David Madden, an analyst at CMC Markets UK, said: ‘Contributing to the bullish mood is the news the UK has vaccinated more than 15m people by February 15 – hitting its target.
In light of the news that Britain is making great progress in terms of rolling out vaccines, there is chatter the country will begin to ease up on restrictions sooner rather than later. ’
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