Travel stocks help FTSE regain after two-day slump

Gains in battered travel stocks helped Britain's FTSE 100 come out of a two-day slump on Thursday, while investors awaited lockdown exit plans from major economies. The blue-chip index rose 0.4% by 0716 GMT, with EasyJet gaining 7.8% after it said steps taken to shore up its finances will help it survive a lengthy fleet grounding during the coronavirus.

Cruise operator Carnival Plc and IAG-owned British Airways also gained more than 4.5%. The domestically-focused midcap index rose 0.7%. UK Health Minister Matt Hancock said the outbreak is starting to peak in Britain, but it is too early to lift the lockdown.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce "new guidelines" for reopening the economy, where unemployment benefit claims is forecast to have surged above an astounding 20 million over the past month. Asset manager Schroders rose 2.8% after it reported the net new business of 30.4 billion pounds, largely thanks to an influx of assets from the Scottish Widows investment mandate, offsetting a fall in total assets in the first quarter.