FTSE 100 soars 9 percent after UK goes on lockdown in second best EVER day

THE FTSE 100 - the 100 companies on Britain's main stock market index - has surged by nine percent for its second-best day on record following new coronaviris lockdown measures enforced by Boris Johnson.The index jumped by 452.12 points, beating the previous record of 431 points, following weeks of struggles as the UK fights the huge economic impact from the COVID-19 outbreak. This nine percent rise was the FTSE's second-best day on record after November 24, 2008, when it gained 9.8 percent. It also marks first major rise since the coronavirus outbreak around two months ago. 

Cruise company Carnival was the FTSE 100's best performer, up by more than a quarter at 28 percent.
The firm was folled by a number of high-profile oil and mining companies.
The included Shell, BP, Anglo American and Evraz, which all increased by around a fifth (20 percent) or more.
The FTSE 100 had already risen by around 6.4 percent to 5315.03 points at around 3.30pm.
The major stock market index was boosted even further when markets opened in the US, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones both jumping by seven percent or more.
Earlier economic data showing the UK was contacting at its fastest rate since 1998, was not enough stop the FTSE's progress.
Similar significant drops in the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) were largely ignored by investors in other countries.
Fiona Cincotta, an analyst at City Index, said: "The data is providing a glimmer of hope that the unprecedented national lockdown imposed two weeks ago is at last having an effect.
"The news comes as Boris Johnson finally put the UK into lockdown last night and as the number of deaths in Spain jumps 32 percent."
Connor Campbell, an analyst at Spreadex, said: "Equities have been in the green since the European open, holding strong in the face of a series of far worse than forecast flash services PMIs, the blow cushioned by a run of consistently higher than expected manufacturing readings."
The markets also don't appear to have been impacted by the strict new lockdown measures announced by Boris Johnson on Monday.These included huge restrictions on people remaining at home, fines for anyone flouting rules in public, and most vital shops being forced to close.
But despite the massive gains, recent giant losses have not been erased.
At 5446 points the FTSE 100 is still well below its levels of about a month ago when it was above 7,400.
On Tuesday, the number of deaths from coronavirus surged over the past 24-hours by 87 to a total of 422 - the biggest daily increase since the outbreak began. 
There are now 8,077 cornfirmed coronavirus cases in the country, following a further 1,427 from Monday.
The Prime Minister announced the new lockdown measures on Monday evening, and said: "Though huge numbers are complying – and I thank you all - the time has now come for us all to do more.
"From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.
"Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households."
The Prime Minister added: "You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say "No".
"You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.
"You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.
"If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Britain is looking for 250,000 volunteers to help the National Health Service (NHS) and vulnerable people hit by the coronavirus crisis.
He added the Government has bought 3.5 million antibody coronavirus tests so that people who suspect they have had the virus would be able to check for sure.

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