Airliners soar (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 08 May - UK shares closed higher, hitting a new record close, as the pound weakened ahead of tomorrow's policy decision from the Bank of England.

Investors are hoping the central bank will provide clues to future rate cuts.

Overseas earners boosted the blue chip index.

HSBC rose 1.15% at 720.80 pence, BAE Systems added 0.62% at 1,381.50 pence and GSK closed 0.71% higher at 1,773.50 pence.

Airliners were higher as oil prices continued to decline on hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza.

IAG gained 3.725 at 184.00 pence and easyJet added 2.86% at 524.80 pence.

Among individual stocks, AstraZeneca rose 1.20% at 12,264.00 pence after drugmaker said it was withdrawing its Covid-19 vaccine following a surplus of stock.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.49% at 8,354.05 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 08-05-24 18:22:37 (0659) 5 NNNN