Weaker pound lifts FTSE 100 ahead of Brexit-related talks; Bunzl shines

The blue-chip FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% led by shares of Bunzl Plc, which jumped 5.3% after the company said it expected a slightly higher operating profit margin and stronger revenue growth in the second half of the year. The mid-cap FTSE 250 also rose 0.2%.

The FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday as a weaker pound lifted shares of exporters, although growing political wrangling over new COVID-19-related restrictions and uncertainty over a Brexit trade deal capped gains. The blue-chip FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% led by shares of Bunzl Plc, which jumped 5.3% after the company said it expected a slightly higher operating profit margin and stronger revenue growth in the second half of the year.

The mid-cap FTSE 250 also rose 0.2%. Education group Pearson Plc rose 2.7% after saying it was on course to match market expectations, as demand for online learning helped soften the impact from cancelled tests and closed schools due to COVID-19.