FTSE Moves: Footsie makes gains as traders bid to navigate Trump's 'minefield' business policies

Blue chip stocks moved higher in afternoon trading as traders attempt to make sense of President-elect Donald Trump's policies.

The Republican billionaire promised a $1trn (£796bn) US infrastructure programme, welcomed by business, but at the same time he threatens to impose tariffs on China and Mexico that could spark a trade war.

The FTSE 100 Index lifted 20.1 points to 6750.6, following Toyko's Nikkei 225 Index which jumped by almost 1.7% overnight.

IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp said: "The new week has got off to a good start, with the buyers that came in at Friday's lows being joined by other investors eager to sniff out value after the gyrations of the past week. A sense of nervousness still hangs in the air, with investors seemingly moving gingerly through the minefield of the new administration."

In London, Taylor Wimpey said it is confident of delivering strong sales throughout its financial year despite the uncertainty created by the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

The firm had a total of 8,981 homes on its order book as of 6 November, a 5% improvement on the same period a year earlier. Shares rose 3.6p to 149.2p.

In afternoon trading the biggest risers in the FTSE 100 Index were DCC (+265p to 6300p), Barclays (+7.7p to 209.5p), Marks & Spencer (+11.7p to 339p), Royal Bank of Scotland (+7.2p to 208.8p) and Capita (+18p to 568.5p).

The biggest fallers in the FTSE 250 Index were Polymetal International (-32p to 804.5p), Mediclinic International (-24.5p to 736.5p), National Grid (-29.4p to 926.3p), Severn Trent (-59p to 2118p) and United Utilities (-23p to 856p).

In afternoon trading the biggest risers in the FTSE 250 Index were Greencore Group (+34.1p to 326p), Playtech (+31.5p to 914p), OneSavings Bank (+11p to 320p), Shawbrook Group (+8.8p to 257.6p) and GVC Holdings (+19p to 644.5p).

The biggest fallers in the FTSE 250 Index were Centamin (-6p to 135.1p), Pennon Group (-27p to 767.5p), Hochschild Mining (-6.8p to 240p), Tullow Oil (-6.1p to 240.7p) and AO World (-3.8p to 166p).