FTSE 100 up 0.6; FTSE 250 up 0.2
Unilever up after Q3 results
British prelim flash PMI down to 51.7 in Oct

Oct 24 Reuters London39;s main stock indexes rose on Thursday, buoyed by upbeat corporate earnings and key economic data released earlier in the day, which bolstered bets of more Bank of England rate cuts.

The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 0.6 by 1000 GMT, while the domesticallyfocussed FTSE 250 rose 0.2.

Heavyweight Unilever gained 3.3 after the consumer goods giant beat thirdquarter underlying sales estimates.

The stock also boosted the Personal Care sector, which was the top sectoral gainer.

An 3.8 jump in Anglo American lifted the industrial metal miners39; sector after the global miner maintained its copper and diamond production forecasts.

The oil and gas sector also supported the benchmark, rising 1.3 as oil prices jumped on heightened supply concerns due to escalating Middle East tensions.

Separately, British businesses reported their slowest growth in 11 months in October, the preliminary flash purchasing managers39; index showed. It fell to 51.7 in October from 52.6 a month earlier.

A Reuters poll of economists had expected a reading of 52.6.

Markets have now fully priced in a rate cut by the BoE at its November and December meetings.

A speech by BoE Monetary Policy Committee member Catherine Mann at 1300 GMT is scheduled, with markets looking out for clues on further rate cuts.

Among notable stock moves, Barclays rose 3.5 after the British bank…