LONDON MARKETS: U.K. Stocks Gain Ground; Inflation Data On Deck

By Carla Mozee, MarketWatch

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K. stocks rose Tuesday, with gains for Prudential PLC and British Land Co. PLC following trading updates.

The FTSE 100 index rose 0.2% to 6,688, adding to Monday's rise of 0.3%, when the market turned higher on the prospect of further monetary stimulus for the eurozone from the European Central Bank.

Prudential shares climbed 1.7% after the insurer said profit from new business rose 17% in the third quarter and that it's confident about its prospects for the rest of the year.

British Land shares gained 0.9% as the property developer said first-half profit rose on strong demand for commercial real estate in London. Underlying profit before tax rose 6.2% to 155 million pounds ($242.7 million).

Meanwhile, EasyJet PLC said full-year profit rose 22%, aided in part by strikes at rival carriers, but shares were trading lower by 0.9%.

Investors will look for the release of U.K. inflation data at 9:30 a.m. London time.

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This event is free, but RSVPs are required. It will be held Wednesday evening, Dec. 3, in London. For more information or to RSVP, send an email to [e-mail].

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