Source: Sharecast
Sentiment got a boost after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Fox Business that the US might meet Canada and Mexico "in the middle" to "work something out" on tariffs.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Investors are looking for any signs that Trump is open to deals rather than doling out tariffs and refusing to listen. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick hinted we might soon see an amendment to the tariff structure that came into force this week.
"Markets would take even the slightest rollback from Trump as a positive sign, helping to settle nerves following concerns about a full-blown trade war."
Aston Martin, which is exposed to the Chinese economy and slumped on Tuesday, hit the accelerator on the news.
Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty announced that its chief executive of 10 years Leo Quinn is to step down later this year.
Breedon surged on Wednesday as it hailed record underlying full-year results and announced the acquisition of US construction materials and surfacing solutions business Lionmark for $238m (£187m) - a deal which is expected to more than double its US revenue.
Ferrexpo surged on news that Ukraine was ready to sign a minerals deal with the US. However it also announced on Wednesday that a Ukrainian district court had granted a request from prosecutors to transfer 49.5% of its mining unit to the state ownership in relation to an embezzlement case.
Market Movers
FTSE 250 - Risers
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 86.45p 14.88%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,633.00p 12.31%
Breedon Group (BREE) 474.00p 10.88%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 76.40p 8.06%
Hays (HAS) 73.45p 8.01%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 243.60p 7.74%
Ibstock (IBST) 163.40p 7.22%
QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 486.40p 7.18%
Computacenter (CCC) 2,264.00p 6.39%
Quilter (QLT) 159.70p 5.76%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Balfour Beatty (BBY) 432.80p -5.00%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 38.80p -3.87%
Greggs (GRG) 1,847.00p -2.99%
Tritax Big Box Reit (BBOX) 143.20p -2.98%
Future (FUTR) 855.00p -2.73%
Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 975.00p -2.50%
HICL Infrastructure (HICL) 111.60p -2.28%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 215.50p -2.05%
Pennon Group (PNN) 400.40p -1.91%
Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 211.50p -1.63%
