1 April 2021 | 16:37pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 was up 0.4% to 6,737.30 amid optimism over a reopening of the UK economy.
By 4.30pm UK time the S&P 500 in the US moved above 4,000 for the first time as it marked a new record high, gaining 0.9%.
Clothing retailer Next has jumped 3.2% to £81.14 after it posted a 15% fall in full price sales for 2020/21 and pre-tax profit of £342 million, in line with guidance but said online sales growth is set to continue.
In the first eight weeks of the 2021/22 year, Next said its online sales have been stronger than expected and has raised its central profit guidance by £30 million from £670 million to £700 million for 2021/22.