(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 14 Aug - Shares in London closed higher, boosted by positive inflation data.

Upbeat inflation figures from the US also helped. US Consumer prices rose 2.9% in July compared to the same month last year, above a consensus for 3.0%. From last month, prices rose 0.2% to match expectations while core CPI prices, stripping out volatile energy and food, also met expectations.

In the UK inflation rose to 2.2% in July, coming in slightly below expectations but above the Bank of England's 2% target.

Economists polled by Reuters expect the headline rate to tick higher to 2.3%, up from 2% over the past two months.

The figures come after the Bank of England earlier this month slashed interest rates for the first time in over four years, taking the key bank rate to 5%.

Home builders were mostly higher. Persimmon added 3.39% at 1,664.50 pence and Taylor Wimpey closed 3.63% higher at 164.25 pence.

Retailers were also higher, with JD Sports gaining 1.07% at 122.95 pence.

Among individual stocks, Entain gained 4.84% at 607.80 pence after rival Flutter's upbeat earnings.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.56% at 8,281.0 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 14-08-24 18:19:57 (0455) 5 NNNN