UK's FTSE 100 hits record close as US shutdown nears end

(Reuters) -London's FTSE 100 logged a third consecutive record close, supported by gains in utilities and mining shares as investors welcomed signs of a potential end to the prolonged U.S. government shutdown.

The blue-chip index closed 0.1% higher, within striking distance of the 10,000 mark. The mid-cap index FTSE 250 was down 0.7%.

Leading Wednesday's gains, the utilities sector advanced 4% as SSE surged 16.8% to a record high after unveiling a 33 billion-pound ($44.29 billion) five-year investment plan to upgrade the UK's regulated electricity networks and expand its renewable business.

Metal miners gained 1.3% as copper prices strengthened in global commodity markets.

The improved market sentiment followed growing optimism that the U.S. House of Representatives may soon vote to end the government shutdown that has disrupted crucial economic data releases. A resolution would provide greater clarity for the Federal Reserve's future interest rate decisions.

Back in the UK, investment banking stocks fell 1.7% with 3i Group in the lead with 3.3% losses.

Industrial shares declined 2%, with credit data specialist Experian dropping 4.9% despite forecasting full-year revenue growth of 11%, the upper end of its outlook range.

Homebuilders declined 2.3%. Taylor Wimpey's shares fell nearly 4% after reporting a softer autumn selling season as British buyers hesitated ahead of the budget announcement.

Energy shares fell 1% as oil prices dipped, with oil majors BP and Shell dropping 1.7% and 0.7%, respectively.

Market participants are awaiting Thursday's preliminary UK GDP figures for the third quarter, which will offer key insights into the nation's economic health before the government's budget announcement later this month.

Among other stocks, Smithson Investment rose 7% after announcing plans to convert its assets into an open-ended fund, while Avon Technologies jumped 6.3% to a five-year high following an upbeat fiscal year outlook.

($1 = 0.7451 pounds)

(Reporting by Utkarsh Tushar Hathi in Bengaluru, Editing by Leroy Leo and Ed Osmond)