UK blue-chip stocks advanced on Tuesday , with supermarket shares marching higher after private retail sales data and a ratings upgrade for Tesco. The market overall also got a lift as the pound was pulled lower on political concerns.

What markets are doing: The FTSE 100 index was up 0.3% at 7,362.55, led by gains for shares in consumer goods and services, oil and gas and financial companies. But the basic materials and technology groups were losing ground. The benchmark on Monday rose 0.5%.