Summary : REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
July 29 (Reuters) – London’s FTSE 100 rose on Friday and was on course to post its strongest monthly performance this year, as strong forecasts from lenders NatWest and Standard Chartered outweighed economic worries. NatWest (NWG.L) rose 8.0% after the bank raised its full-year forecast and made a bumper payout to shareholders, while emerging markets-focussed Standard Chartered (STAN.L) also climbed on an upbeat outlook, up 3.8%. BA-owner IAG (ICAG.L) gained 1.0% as it returned to profit for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the April-June period, led by demand for flights in Spain and to Latin America. Jupiter Fund Management (JUP.L) slid 5.8% as the asset manager reported a fall in its half-yearly profit, hit by rising outflows as key global markets buckle under geopolitical tensions and inflationary concerns.
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