This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33458603

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
FTSE 100 helped by AB Foods and Barratt updates FTSE 100 ends on upbeat trading helped by AB Foods
(about 5 hours later)
(Noon): The FTSE 100 jumped more than 1%, helped by upbeat trading updates from Primark owner AB Foods and housebuilder Barratt Developments. (Closed): The FTSE 100 closed 1.4% higher thanks to upbeat trading news from Primark owner AB Foods, Supergroup and housebuilder Barratt Developments.
Shortly after midday, the FTSE 100 index was up 72.97 points at 6,563.67. At end of trading, the FTSE 100 index was up 90.93 points at 6,581.63.
AB Foods led the way, rising 4.7%, after it said it was on track to meet full-year profit forecasts. AB Foods rose 5.08%, after it said it was on track to meet full-year profit forecasts.
The company also said it planned to open a Primark store in Italy next year, which would be the 10th European market the chain has reached.The company also said it planned to open a Primark store in Italy next year, which would be the 10th European market the chain has reached.
Shares in Barratt Developments rose 2.8% after it said full year profits were set to rise by a better-than-expected 45% to about £565m. The British company Supergroup, which is behind the Superdry fashion brand, closed 7.74% up after reporting a 2% rise in full-year profits and signing a deal to take its clothes into China.
Shares in Barratt Developments rose 4.37% after it said full-year profits were better than expected.
The housebuilder also said the cut in tax relief for buy-to-let investors announced on Wednesday's Budget was unlikely to affect the housing market.The housebuilder also said the cut in tax relief for buy-to-let investors announced on Wednesday's Budget was unlikely to affect the housing market.
However, shares in supermarkets and retailers came under pressure as investors feared these would be hit by the new national living wage announced in the Budget. Sainsbury's shares fell 0.9%. However, shares in supermarkets and retailers came under pressure as investors feared these would be hit by the new national living wage announced in the Budget. Sainsbury's shares fell 0.39%.
In the FTSE 250, shares in Balfour Beatty fell 4.5% after the engineering group issued another profit warning. In the FTSE 250, shares in Balfour Beatty fell 3.59% after the engineering group issued another profit warning.
It said its 2015 results would be hit by a "shortfall" of £120m-£150m after a review of its businesses had continued to "identify legacy issues" in the UK, US and Middle East.It said its 2015 results would be hit by a "shortfall" of £120m-£150m after a review of its businesses had continued to "identify legacy issues" in the UK, US and Middle East.
Supergroup - the owner of the Superdry brand - climbed 5% after it reported a 2% rise in full-year profits and said recent trading had been strong. On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.6% against the euro to €1.3953 and was 0.07% higher against the dollar at $1.5371.
The company also said it was to enter China after signing a joint venture deal with Chinese retailer Trendy International Group.
On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.4% against the euro to €1.3933 and was 0.1% higher against the dollar at $1.5381.