FTSE LIVE: B&Q boosted by heatwave; Royal London bemoans sluggish economic growth; FTSE in the green

The FTSE 100 closed up 58.51 points at 7556.38 as news of fresh trade talks between the US and China helped to calm investor sentiment.

 B&Q sales bounced back in its second quarter as the heatwave triggered strong sales of seasonal items, such as garden furniture and BBQs.

And Royal London flagged a challenging backdrop for pensions and investment firms as it booked a 9 per cent rise in profits for the first half of the year.