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* FTSE 100 up 1.1%, FTSE 250 up 1.5%
* Energy stocks lag as oil prices fall
* UK economy shrinks 0.1% in April
By Tharuniyaa Lakshmi
June 12 (Reuters) - Britain's shares edged higher on Friday
after U.S. President Donald Trump said a peace agreement with
Iran could be signed soon, while investors also assessed key
economic data.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 1.1% to 10,414.02
points by 1059 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed
1.5%. Both indexes were on track for weekly gains.
* The deal, if confirmed, could end the three-month-old war,
which sent oil prices sharply higher after Iran blockaded the
Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supply.
* Most sub-indexes were in the green, except energy
, which fell 3.6% after oil prices slipped more
than 4% following the news.
* Homebuilders led gains; Vistry Group
was up 6.6%, and Bellway ( BLWYF ) and Persimmon
4% each.
* The travel and leisure sub-index, which
includes oil price-sensitive airlines, also advanced 3.6%.
British Airways owner IAG and budget carrier Wizz Air
Holdings ( WZZAF ) were among the top gainers.
* On the data front, Britain's economy contracted 0.1% in
April, its first monthly drop since August 2025, the Office for
National Statistics (ONS) said.
* ONS data showed the first clear signs of an impact from
the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on the country's economic growth.
* "April's data hints at what is to come, a summer of
sluggishness which could edge into a technical recession as
global conflict collides with domestic political uncertainty,"
said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell.
* Separately, the British public's expectations for
inflation in the long term rose to a record high last month, the
Bank of England's quarterly inflation attitudes survey showed on
Friday.