FTSE 100 up 0.3, FTSE 250 adds 0.5
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May 20 Reuters London equities kicked off the week on a positive note, helped by a rally among metal miners and defence stocks, while investors await comments from the Bank of England for hints on the central bank39;s interest rate trajectory.

The bluechip FTSE 100 shook off its recent slump, climbing 0.3, and breaking free from the two backtoback sessions of losses. The midcap FTSE 250 gained 0.5, inching close to its key 21,000 mark.

Precious metal miners led sectoral gains, rising 2.3, as bullion prices surged to record highs on bets the U.S. Federal Reserve could deliver its first rate cut soon and industrial metal miners climbed 0.8 after copper hit an alltime peak. GOl

Energy shares and aerospace and defence stocks were also among the leaders, with the latter rising as uncertainty in the Middle East grew after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash.

It39;s not a surprise to see these defence stocks up because if the situation in the Middle East destabilises even further, that will just push governments to spend more on defence Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said.

Traders are looking forward to the Bank of England39;s Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent39;s speech later in the day for clues that could signal the timing of the first rate cut.

They are also on guard for a slew of upcoming domestic economic data, with…