The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.40% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index gained 43 points or 0.40 percent on Thursday to close at 10850 points. Gains were led by Howden Joinery (10.63%), London Stock Exchange (9.06%) and WPP (5.36%). Biggest losers were Hikma Pharmaceutical (-15.89%), Fresnillo (-5.13%) and Antofagasta (-4.09%).

The FTSE 100 rose 0.4% to a fresh record above 10,851 on Thursday, driven largely by strong corporate news. Rolls-Royce gained nearly 5% after raising its forecast and announcing a multi-year buyback program following annual results that exceeded expectations. WPP reversed earlier losses to climb 5.4%, as investors appeared to price in weak guidance and dividend cuts while giving some credit to the new CEO’s turnaround plan. London Stock Exchange Group rose 9% after unveiling £3 billion in additional shareholder returns over the next 12 months. Offsetting gains, miners saw declines, with Fresnillo down around 5%, Antofagasta 4%, Anglo American over 3%, and Rio Tinto more than 2%.

The FTSE 100 Index is gaining 4 points or 0.04 percent on Thursday. Leading the gains are Howden Joinery (8.12%), Rolls-Royce (5.76%) and London Stock Exchange (4.85%). Top losers are Hikma Pharmaceutical (-17.01%), WPP (-5.62%) and Fresnillo (-3.47%).