FTSE 100 up 0.37% at 7,877 (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 18 Apr - UK shares ended higher supported by a promising start on Wall Street as British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) lit up the skies.

London drew solace from comments by ECB policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau today saying the European Central Bank should cut interest rates in June, barring a major surprise.

His comments came after ECB President Christine Lagarde said earlier this week the ECB remained on course to cut interest rates in the near term, subject to any major shocks.

Shares in IAG surged 6.6% lifted by news from US rival United Airlines that it saw strong transatlantic demand this summer.

BA's low-cost rival easyJet also rose after it narrowed losses and pointed to robust bookings for the summer season.

National Grid ended up 1.7% after it upgraded its profit outlook for the year, lifting SSE shares 1.7% too.

Shares in Rentokil fell 2.8% after its first-quarter earnings underwhelmed.

The FTSE 100 closed up 0.37% at 7,877.

AAA-Sje

(RADIOCOR) 18-04-24 18:20:17 (0651) 5 NNNN