Pound goes over $1.35 on Brexit hopes

The pound broke through the $1.35 mark for the first time in two months on Thursday amid hopes of progress in the Brexit negotiations.

The jump followed reports the UK had offered to pay up to €50bn (£44bn) to settle its so-called EU divorce bill.

The Times also reported on Thursday that the UK was close to a deal over the border with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The dollar's weakness in late New York trading exacerbated the pound's gains.

The pound was up 0.72% against the dollar at $1.3506. Against the euro, sterling rose 0.11% to €1.1334.

"Pound traders continue to cheer the prospect of trade and transition deal talks following reports that the UK will cough up around €50bn for the Brexit divorce bill," said Fiona Cincotta, Senior Market Analyst, at City Index.

However, she added the "almighty rally" was also a "story of dollar weakness".

The dollar had been climbing as a result of hopes that President Donald Trump's long-awaited tax reforms were making progress.

But it "fell back to the ground with a thud" due to stagnant inflation in the US - which could make an interest rate rise less likely - and possible changes in Trump's cabinet, Ms Cincotta.

Elsewhere on the markets, the UK's benchmark FTSE 100 share index was down 0.9% or 67 points at 7,326.67.

Shares in Aviva ended the day 0.39% higher after the insurer increased its targets for growth and dividend payouts.

On the FTSE 250 index, pub operator Marston's saw its shares jump nearly 10% after it reported a rise in full-year profits and said it was "well positioned" for growth next year.

But results from rival Greene King fell flat by contrast.

Its shares dropped 3.7% after the brewer and pub owner reported an 8% fall in half-year profits and said trading conditions were likely to "toughen" in the next few years.