London shares extended gains for a second session on Wednesday as an imminent U.S. stimulus package and moves by companies to deal with the financial effects of the coronavirus crisis offset the impact on markets of a surge in cases domestically.

The FTSE 100 closed up 4.5% following its biggest percentage gain on Tuesday since the wild swings of the 2008 financial crisis.

That aided a 16% recovery from the lows hit last week as investors pinned hopes on massive steps by central banks and governments to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic.

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