Miners boost FTSE 100 on China optimism; Vistry jumps

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* FTSE 100 up 0.6%, FTSE 250 adds 0.4%

Sept 11 (Reuters) – The UK’s exporter-heavy FTSE 100
index opened higher on Monday boosted by miners after positive
China data signalled stability in the world’s second-largest
economy, while Vistry shares jumped after the homebuilder kept
its annual profit outlook.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.6% in early
trade, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index was up 0.4%.

Data showed China’s consumer prices returned to positive
territory in August, while the country’s new bank loans jumped
more-than-expected last month, reflecting signs of economic
stabilisation of the top metals consumer.

Industrial metal miners gained 2.8%.

Vistry Group jumped 14.4% after the British
homebuilder said it would merge its affordable-housing business
‘Partnerships’ with its Housebuilding operations, while
maintaining its annual profit forecast.

AstraZeneca was down 0.6%, after The Mail reported
on Sunday that the drugmaker’s CEO Pascal Soriot had privately
told friends and trusted advisers that he was looking to step
down.

Barclays rose 0.7% after Reuters reported that the
lender is drawing up plans to cut hundreds of jobs, citing two
sources familiar with the matter, as the bank trims its costs
while embarking on a wider strategy review.

(Reporting by Siddarth S in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)