Finance

London stocks gain despite lingering US tariff uncertainty

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 30, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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London stocks gain despite lingering US tariff uncertainty
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(Reuters) -Britain's main indexes climbed on Friday, poised for weekly and monthly gains, despite a U.S. appeals court reinstating President Donald Trump's tariffs just a day after a trade court had

London stocks gain despite lingering US tariff uncertainty

(Reuters) -Britain's main indexes climbed on Friday, poised for weekly and monthly gains, despite a U.S. appeals court reinstating President Donald Trump's tariffs just a day after a trade court had ordered an immediate block on them.

As of 1009 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 rose 0.8% and was on track to end the month higher with three consecutive weeks of gains.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington on Thursday temporarily reinstated Trump's duties while it considers the government's appeal, injecting more uncertainty into the market.

The Trump administration has said negotiations with top trading partners have continued despite the trade court's block. Britain is the only country to have signed a deal.

On the economic front, Bank of England policymaker Alan Taylor dismissed inflation concerns and called for lower interest rates. Taylor was one of the two members who had voted for a bigger half-point cut in May. The BoE had cut interest rates by quarter of a percentage point.

Additionally, a survey showed that the British public's expectations for inflation over the year ahead fell in May to 4% from 4.2%.

The domestically focussed mid-cap FTSE 250 was on-track for a second month of gains. It was up 0.6% on Friday.

Investment banking and brokerage services sub-index advanced 1.5%, with insurer and asset manager M&G rising 5.6% after Japan's Dai-ichi Life Holdings said it plans to buy a 15% stake.

Insurer Hiscox was up almost 1.4% after Berenberg re-initiated coverage with 'buy'.

Later in the day, investors will closely monitor the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditure data — the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation indicator — for clues on interest rate trajectory.

(Reporting by Twesha Dikshit; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)

Key Takeaways

  • London stocks rise despite US tariff reinstatement.
  • FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 show positive trends.
  • Bank of England dismisses inflation concerns.
  • M&G shares rise after Dai-ichi Life Holdings' stake purchase.
  • Investors eye US inflation data for interest rate clues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current status of the FTSE 100?
As of 1009 GMT, the FTSE 100 rose 0.8% and is on track to end the month higher with three consecutive weeks of gains.
What did the US Court of Appeals decide regarding tariffs?
The US Court of Appeals temporarily reinstated Trump's tariffs while considering the government's appeal, adding uncertainty to trade relations.
What is the Bank of England's position on interest rates?
Bank of England policymaker Alan Taylor dismissed inflation concerns and advocated for lower interest rates, suggesting a more accommodative monetary policy.
How did the British public's inflation expectations change?
A survey indicated that the British public's expectations for inflation over the year ahead fell from 4.2% to 4% in May.
What sectors showed gains in the UK stock market?
The investment banking and brokerage services sub-index advanced 1.5%, with M&G rising 5.6% after a stake acquisition by Dai-ichi Life Holdings.

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