LIVE MARKETS-UK builders top the charts as STOXX inches up

By Reuters News

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UK BUILDERS TOP THE CHARTS AS STOXX INCHES UP

Britain's construction sector stole the show in Europe on Monday after the government announced an incentive scheme for first-time home buyers, triggering double-digit gains in shares of many of the country's homebuilders and materials firms.

Persimmon PSN.L, Taylor Wimpey TW.L, Bellway BWY.L and Barratt Redrow BTRW.L all rose more than 14%, taking the top spots on the STOXX 600 .STOXX by a wide margin. The government said on Saturday its new equity loan scheme to help first-time buyers would be confirmed in next month's budget.

The pan-European index rose 0.3%, also supported by gains in consumer staples, healthcare and energy stocks.

Losses among miners, hit by falling gold prices, and weakness in parts of the tech sector limited gains on the STOXX. London's FTSE .FTSE rose 0.3%, in line with the broader European market.

(Danilo Masoni)

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