Smith & Nephew soars (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 04 Jul - UK shares closed higher as voters headed to the poll in a snap general election called by prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Polling stations opened early in the morning and will close well into the night. Labour's Keir Stamer looks well positioned to take Sunak's place and end a 14-year reign by the Conservative Party.

Housebuilders were higher, boosted by prospects of a Labour victory.

Persimmon rose 0.77% at 1,432.00 pence and Taylor Wimpey closed 0.88% higher at 148.80 pence.

Sentiment was however boosted by dovish minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting. The document showed that Fed officials believe in 'continued disinflation in the period ahead.' US markets are closed for Independence Day today.

Among individual stocks, Smith & Nephew jumped 6.87% at 1,054.00 pence after activist investor Cevian Capital acquired a 5% stake in the company.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.86% at 8,241.26 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 04-07-24 18:25:52 (0562) 5 NNNN