UK's FTSE 100 rises for a sixth straight quarter as Middle East optimism aids sentiment

June 30 (Reuters) - The UK's blue-chip FTSE 100 inched higher on Tuesday, led by gains in defence and financial stocks, notching gains for a sixth consecutive quarter as optimism surrounding a ceasefire in the Middle East lifted sentiment. 

The internationally focused FTSE 100 index rose 0.1%, while the midcap FTSE 250 was flat. The blue-chip index gained in 11 of the last 12 months, with March being the only exception, as global markets roiled after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran. 

• The FTSE 250 posted its biggest quarterly rise in five quarters but a monthly loss as politics took centre stage after Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister.

• Banks added 0.8% and were up 20% for the quarter. Lloyds and Natwest gained 2.1% and 1.6%, respectively.

• Aerospace and defence stocks rose 2.1% after Starmer unveiled an extra £15 billion ($20 billion) to modernise Britain's depleted armed forces. Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Melrose Industries and Babcock were up between 2% and 3.3%.

• Industrial metal miners rose 1%, tracking metal prices, while precious metal miners lost 1.5%.

• Economic data showed that Britain's economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter, but households felt a squeeze before the price pressures of the Middle East conflict.

• A Lloyds survey showed that UK businesses' confidence about the economic outlook fell this month as cost pressures and global uncertainty continued to hurt.

• The UK's biggest housebuilders are facing a potential multi-billion-pound class action lawsuit over alleged anti-competitive conduct, according to a consumer claim. The home construction index lagged on the FTSE 100 with a 1.6% decline, while Persimmon, Barratt Redrow and Taylor Wimpey fell between 1% and 3%.

• Among individual movers, supermarket group Sainsbury's rose 1.3% after first-quarter results but said it expects the Middle East conflict to add to food inflation.

• British holiday and insurance group Saga shares gained 6.7% after first-half cruise bookings topped expectations.

• The UK car lobby group warned electric vehicle makers will have to pay £1.4 billion ($1.85 billion) in tariffs if there is no solution on local content requirements with the European Union. The automobiles index shed 2.3%.

(Reporting by Twesha Dikshit; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli, Alexandra Hudson)