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FTSE 100 climbs 0.5, FTSE 250 up 0.1

March 28 Reuters UK39;s FTSE 100 was set for a positive end to the March quarter and touched fresh highs on Thursday after a rally last week, bolstered broadly by miner and bank stocks on the last trading day of the week.

The commodityheavy FTSE 100 was up 0.5 by 1003 GMT and the domesticallyoriented FTSE 250 was down 0.1.

The benchmark index hovered at oneyear highs, having touched similar levels last week.

The bluechip FTSE 100 index is set to end the JanuaryMarch quarter with a 3 gain, its highest since the last quarter of 2022. For the week, the index is set to log a 0.4 gain.

Most base metals prices rose, boosted by signs of stabilisation in China39;s broader economy that supported mining stocks to gain 1.2.

Banks stocks climbed 1.4, leading sectoral gains.

FTSE 100 rallied last week on back of dovish messages from major central banks, and while the rally has somewhat continued this week, it has lost some steam.

Investors are taking a lot of positive sentiment from last week. The reassurances from last week are being reflected in markets, said Thomas Gehlan, senior market strategist at SG Kleinwort Hambros.

Investors will be focussed on a key reading of the U.S. personal consumption expenditure price index PCE, the Federal Reserve39;s preferred inflation gauge, due on Friday, when most…