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FTSE 100 up 0.4%, FTSE 250 up 0.4%

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Informa ( IFPJF ) rises on revising 2025 revenue growth forecast

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J D Wetherspoon ( JDWPF ) up after reporting a rise in sales

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Hochschild up on stronger-than-expected quarterly silver

output

(Updates with market closing prices)

July 23 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday

to a record close for a third straight session, helped by

positive corporate updates, while a U.S.-Japan trade deal also

boosted global sentiment.

The benchmark FTSE 100 closed up 0.4% at 9,061.49

points. The domestically oriented midcap FTSE 250 also

gained 0.4%.

U.S. President Donald Trump struck a trade deal with Japan,

lowering tariffs on auto imports and sparing Tokyo from

punishing new levies on other goods in exchange for a $550

billion package of U.S.-bound investment and loans.

The UK's automobiles and parts index rose

2.5%, tracking strength in Asian rivals. Aston Martin

and Dowlais Group ( DWLAF ) gained 8.1% and 1.2%, respectively.

Healthcare stocks rose 2.5%, with AstraZeneca ( AZN )

and GSK gaining 3.1% and 1.8% respectively.

Medical equipment and services rose 1.5%,

with a boost from Smith+Nephew, up 1.8%.

Media stocks advanced 2.2%, boosted by

Informa's ( IFPJF ) 4.9% rise after the events and academic

publishing group raised its annual underlying revenue growth

forecast.

Conversely, construction and materials stocks

lost 1.5%, with Breedon Group ( BRDNF ) down 7.5%, after the

company forecast annual results at the low end of market

expectations.

In company news, Alpha Group hit a record high and

was last up 25.6% after U.S. payments firm Corpay ( CPAY ) said

it would buy the financial services provider in a $2.2 billion

(1.6 billion pounds) cash deal.

Hochschild Mining rose 7.6% on

stronger-than-expected quarterly silver output.

J D Wetherspoon ( JDWPF ) gained 1.9% after the pub group

reported a rise in sales in recent weeks since May.

British stocks have rallied this year, pushing the FTSE 100

to all-time highs in recent weeks, as hopes of interest rate

cuts, optimism over the UK-U.S. trade deal and a surge in

commodity prices lifted sentiment.

Traders are currently pricing in an 89% chance of a 25 basis

point BoE cut next month, according to data compiled by LSEG.

This week, attention is on the UK flash Purchasing Managers'

Index for July, due on Thursday, and retail sales data for June

on Friday.

Meanwhile, India and Britain will sign a free trade

agreement on Thursday during Indian Prime Minister Narendra

Modi's visit to Britain, officials said.