London close: Markets finish higher after encouraging manufacturing data Thu, 1st Apr 2021 16:17 (Sharecast News) - London stocks closed the Good Friday-truncated week with a positive finish on Thursday, as a surprise rise in US jobless claims was apparently offset by US President Joe Biden's $2trn infrastructure plan, a profit upgrade from Next and encouraging manufacturing data. The FTSE 100 ended the session up 0.35% at 6,737.30, and the FTSE 250 managed gains of 0.99% to 21,732.67. Sterling was in a mixed state, meanwhile, last gaining 0.36% on the dollar to trade at $1.3832, but slipping 0.02% against the euro to €1.1748. "European markets are closing out in positive fashion, with the prospect of another $2trn worth of US stimulus helping to lift hopes of a rapid recovery in the months ahead," said IG senior market analyst Joshua Mahony.