FTSE rises for second day, led by banks as sterling slides

UK stocks rose for a second consecutive session on Thursday, led by financials, as markets across Europe followed Asian stocks higher and the pound slid on a continuing Brexit deal impasse. 

The blue-chip FTSE 100 was up 0.3 percent by 0952 GMT, with telecoms and consumer staples lending their strength to pull the index up. 

An agreement by U.S. Senate Republicans to pursue talks with the House of Representatives gave investors renewed hope that sweeping corporate tax cuts will come into law. These are seen are benefiting the financial sector in particular. 

Prudential rose 1.3 percent, Standard Chartered 0.7 percent and Aviva 0.5 percent, while the European banking index was up 0.4 percent. 

Sterling slipped 0.1 percent and was close to its lowest in a week as the clock ticked down to a weekend deadline for movement on Brexit talks without apparent progress on an Irish border dispute that is holding up negotiations.