6 April 2021 | 12:06pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 held on to its early gains to trade up 1.2% to 6,820.37 by midday on Tuesday. Hopes for a recovery from Covid, boosted by strong economic data from the US and China over the Easter weekend, helped lift travel and resources stocks.
Oil major BP gained 3.3% to 299.4p after it said it was on track to reach its $35 billion net debt target in the first quarter of its financial year.
Disposal proceeds in 2021 were forecast to be at the top end of BP s previously announced $4‑to-$6 billion range, the company said.
Home repairs and improvements business HomeServe fell 1.5% to £11.94 on guiding for annual adjusted pre-tax profit to rise to around £191 million in line with consensus expectations.