Shares and pound surge on UK election outcome
UK shares and the pound have jumped after the Conservatives won a parliamentary majority in the election.
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The Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) Index 100 rose 2.32 per cent to 7,046.82, with shares in banks and energy companies seeing big gains.
On the currency markets, the BBC Business News report said the pound was up more than two cents against the US dollar at $1.5460.
The Conservatives have unexpectedly managed to secure a slender majority, to the relief of investors who had expected a long period of uncertainty.
In the run-up to the election, opinion polls had suggested that no one party would win a majority, raising the prospect of a hung parliament.
But the markets welcomed the news that the election outcome was clearer than expected.
"It appears that we will avoid weeks of uncertainty and horse trading," said UBS in a research note.
Bank shares saw some of the biggest gains, on hopes that the sector will not see any further rises in levies. Shares in Lloyds Banking Group rose 5.75 per cent while Barclays was 3.7 per cent higher.
Energy firms also saw their share prices rise, as Labour had wanted a price freeze and more powers for the energy regulator. British Gas owner, Centrica rose 8.1 per cent and SSE shares were up 5.3 per cent.
As well as jumping against the dollar, the pound also rose against the euro, climbing more than two euro cents to €1.3747.
"The market often likes a bit of consistency and stability and if the Conservatives are returned to power... they will be able to push through a lot of the policies and approaches that they have done over the last five years in parliament," said Jason Hughes from trading firm, CMC Markets.
However, analysts said the rise could be short-lived as uncertainty over a possible "Brexit" or Britain leaving the European Union affects trading, with a referendum on the UK's EU membership now likely.
Bill O'Neill at UBS Wealth Management said: "Sterling will, in our view, be moved by a number of different factors in the coming days and weeks.
"The Brexit and Scottish devolution debates might influence the path of the pound quicker than we think.
"The good news is that the current fiscal trajectory remains firmly in place. Importantly, the Bank of England will not be confronted by a change in the fiscal framework. This could prompt lower for longer interest rates."
