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* FTSE 100, FTSE 250 up 0.5%
* Halma tops gainers on main index
* LED maker Dialight tanks after profit alert
Nov 19 (Reuters) - UK shares were pushed higher on Tuesday
by Asia-focussed financials that rose after China's surprise cut
to a key lending rate and as general election hopes remained,
while blue-chip Halma surged 7%.
The FTSE 100 added 0.5% by 0814 GMT, led by safety
equipment maker Halma after an upbeat half-year report,
while the FTSE 250 held at a 14-month high hit in the
prior session on optimism ahead of the UK election.
The midcaps also rose 0.5% with Cobham gaining 4%
after the British government said it is minded to allow Advent's
purchase of the UK-listed firm.
Lights manufacturer Dialight plunged 20.4% to its
lowest in nearly a decade on the small-cap index after it warned
on profit due to the U.S.-China trade war.
(Reporting by Muvija M in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernard Orr)
