Weak orders deters buyers
The CBI put a damper on markets with figures showing factory orders grew this month at their weakest pace in almost two years.
The FTSE100 closed up 9.2 points or 0.1% at 6,834.87 pts, hitting a new 11-day high and extending gains from Monday on the back of better news on the Greek debt situation.
Engineer Weir Group (+ 2.86% at 1,836p) was among the risers. Nomura lifted Diageo to ‘buy’, saying bad news flow at the spirits product is abating and “a recovery in growth should become visible in full-year 2016”.
RBC Capital Markets raised its stance on Sports Direct to ‘outperform’, saying the sports retailer is “regaining momentum”.
The top mid-cap riser was Ladbrokes, up 15% at a year high after the company confirmed it was in merger talks with privately owned Gala Coral Group.
Royal Bank of Scotland also rose (+1.32% at 359.5p) despite criticism of the board at the agm.
