BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks reversed from an early slide to turn higher on Wednesday as the closely-fought U.S. presidential election appeared to be headed into an uncertain phase, with a final result not expected for days.
Investors shrugged off survey data showing that Britain is on course to enter a double-dip recession this winter.
The IHS Markit/CIPS services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to a four-month low of 51.4 in October from 56.1 in September.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 53 points, or 0.9 percent, at 5,840 after rising 2.3 percent on Tuesday.
Marks & Spencer surged nearly 5 percent despite the company reporting its first loss in its 94 years amid Covid-19 related store closures.
Smurfit Kappa jumped 4 percent. After delivering a stronger-than-expected performance in the third quarter, the packaging company said it was 'well positioned' to benefit from trends in e-commerce and demand for sustainable packaging.
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