FTSE 100 Posts Longest Winning Streak In More Than 5 Years,
Entain gains after BetMGM swings to benefit
Deliveroo jumps 17% after DoorDash takeover proposal
FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 gains 0.6%
(Updates after markets close)
April 28 (Reuters) - British equities ended higher on Monday with heavyweight health care companies leading gains in the benchmark index, while U.S. trade policy advancements in focus.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 was almost flat but published its 11th consecutive winning session. The index also posted its longest winning streak because December 2019.
The midcap FTSE 250 acquired 0.6%.
Healthcare stocks gained 1.1%, with AstraZeneca and GSK increasing the greatest gains in the FTSE 100, up 1.2% and 1.4% respectively.
Market belief was supported by indications of easing U.S.-China trade stress last week. However, uncertainties about the international trade war continued.
Entain ended up 6.8%, after the British gaming company's joint endeavor with MGM Resorts, BetMGM, swung to first-quarter profit in an e-betting surge.
Deliveroo leapt 16.5%, leading the gains on the midcap index, after confirming on Friday that it had received a takeover proposal from U.S. peer DoorDash on April 5.
On the information side, British retail sales volumes fell by the smallest amount considering that October this month but shops anticipate conditions to get worse next month, according to a study that reflected concerns about growth and customer self-confidence.
Britain has proposed a broad declaration of shared values with the European Union that emphasises support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, the Paris Climate Agreement and open and totally free trade, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.
Although it does not mention the Trump administration by name, numerous elements of the text present a striking contrast to existing U.S. policies.
Separately, trade ministers of UK and India began 2 days of speak with conclude more than three years of settlements on a trade pact, under extra pressure to reach a deal because of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on exports to the U.S. (Reporting by Sanchayaita Roy and Ragini Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K, William Maclean)