MARKET WATCH: Could GSK jab decrease danger of Dementia Drugs big to trial its shingles jab as a treatment for the illness

GSK is studying a group of more than a million older adults in the UK to see if its shingles vaccine lowers the risk of dementia.

The British drugs group, led by boss Emma Walmsley, is using the data of 1.4m adults aged 65 and 66 to examine the impact of its Shingrix shot.

GSK shares inched up 0.1 per cent, or 1p, to 1486p.

The FTSE 100 added 0.3 per cent, or 25.79 points, to 8663.8 and the FTSE 250 also gained 0.3 per cent, or 58.78 points, to 19,981.21.

Housebuilders made gains after Bellway reported a 12 per cent rise in half-year profits as lower mortgage rates boosted sales. 

Bellway rose 1.3 per cent, or 32p, to 2444p while Barratt Redrow gained 0.3 per cent, or 1.3p, to 424.2p.

Persimmon rose 0.5 per cent, or 5.5p, to 1198p while Taylor Wimpey edged up by 0.3 per cent, or 0.3p, to 114.05p.

Dementia hopes: GSK, led by boss Emma Walmsley (pictured), is using the data of 1.4m adults aged 65 and 66 to examine the impact of its Shingrix shot