London equities markets were up on Wednesday after the minutes from the latest meeting of the US Federal Reserve seemed to indicate that interest rates in the United States are likely to remain on hold for the time being. The FTSE 100 added 0.7 percent to 5,929.3, while the FTSE 250 was 0.5 percent higher to 9,581.5.
Pubs operators were up on the day. JD Wetherspoon gained 2.5 percent to 452p, taking its gains in the past year to 60 percent. Enterprise Inns was up 3.1 percent to £10.25 after Deutsche Bank upped its target share price to £12.
Still in leisure sectors, gaming and restaurant operator Rank was 2 percent higher to 219p ahead of its half-year results, due out on Friday. Analysts look for Rank to sell Hard Rock Café and concentrate on its gaming interests.
Wolseley added 4.2 percent to £11.35 on talk that a private equity company might be preparing a bid, as well as on the idea that interest rates in the US will stay where they are at least until the end of the year. Wolseley makes 60 percent of its profits in the United States.
The oil sector was mixed. Premier Oil was up by 2.3 percent to £10.12 as bids talk continued. One of those thought to be interested was Royal Dutch Shell, which dropped 0.3 percent to £18.98.