The FTSE 100 nudged higher in morning trading as investors digested a slew of corporate results and braced themselves for a key US inflation reading, which will be pored over for hints about possible interest rate cuts and the direction of the world’s largest economy.
Leading the way on the senior index, up 19 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 7,644.438, was Howden Joinery as its confident outlook on the year ahead propelled shares in the kitchens and joinery products supplier up 65¾p, or 8.5 per cent, to 838¼p: their highest level in more than two years.
Haleon was another big riser, picking up 16¼p, or 5.1 per cent, to 330p after announcing plans for a £500 million share buyback alongside full-year results. Strong final
