FTSE 100 Hits Fresh High

2026-02-17 08:38 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

The FTSE 100 rose 0.3% to trade around the 10,500 mark on Tuesday, extending gains for a third consecutive session and reaching a fresh record high.

Weak labour market data fuelled expectations of another interest rate cut by the Bank of England.

The unemployment rate unexpectedly climbed to 5.2% in the three months to December, the highest level since 2021, while wage growth slowed to multi-year lows.

A decline in payrolls also pointed to “weak hiring activity,” according to ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown.

RELX (3.3%), Experian (2.1%) and Pearson (2%) were among the top performers.

Housebuilders Persimmon and Berkeley added 1.5%, as hopes of a March rate cut improved the outlook for mortgage affordability.

On the earnings front, BHP climbed nearly 2% after reporting a profit beat, while InterContinental Hotels edged up 0.2% on stronger full-year profit and revenue.

In contrast, Antofagasta fell 3% after its annual results disappointed investors.



News Stream
The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.24% Lower
The FTSE 100 Index is losing 25 points. Losses were led by Rolls-Royce (-3.29%), Vistry Group (-2.46%) and Burberry (-2.12%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Shell (1.43%) and Admiral (1.15%).
2026-06-08
FTSE 100 Edges Down, Outperforms Europe
The FTSE 100 traded modestly lower on Monday but continued to outperform its European peers amid a broader market selloff. Sentiment was pressured by renewed tensions in the Middle East after Iran and Israel exchanged fresh strikes, raising doubts about the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for a lasting peace agreement. The renewed conflict pushed oil prices sharply higher, with Brent crude rising more than 4% to above $97 per barrel. Energy heavyweights Shell and BP provided support for the UK index, alongside defensive consumer stocks such as British American Tobacco and Diageo. In corporate news, Tate & Lyle surged after agreeing to a £2.7 billion takeover by US group Ingredion, which offered 615 pence per share in cash, representing a substantial premium to recent trading levels.
2026-06-08
The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.14% Higher
The FTSE 100 Index gained 15 points or 0.14 percent on Friday to close at 10375 points. Gains were led by Unilever (2.50%), Auto Trader (2.49%) and British American Tobacco (2.43%). Biggest losers were Endeavour (-5.82%), Antofagasta (-5.70%) and Fresnillo (-5.68%).
2026-06-05