London’s FTSE 100 hit a record high Friday, as international exposure in the equity index shielded it from much of the turmoil that has weakened the pound, gilts and domestic stocks.

Retail sales volumes fell by 0.3% in December, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed today. Falls in supermarkets were partly offset by a rise in non-food stores, such as clothing retailers,

The UK's blue-chip FTSE 100 hit an all-time high on Friday, supported by a weaker pound after much softer than expected retail sales data boosted expectations of an interest rate cut next month. The FTSE 100 rose 1.

The new all-time closing high came on the back of a weaker pound, which was trading at $1.22 against the dollar, and expectations of further interest rate cuts.

News of the record ends a good day for markets in which much of the turbulence of the last 10 days has been reversed. It will be welcome news for Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the government, whose borrowing costs had risen sharply.

London stocks advanced on Friday as the pound fell following a retail sales reading that boosted expectations of a Bank of England interest rate cut next month, with the blue-chip FTSE 100 hitting all-time highs.

Analysis of FTSE 100's 2025 outlook now that it has risen to a new all-time high, examining key drivers including P/E ratios, dividend yields, sterling weakness and technical factors that could push the index to 9,

The lacklustre performance of the UK economy continued in November after figures today showed GDP edged up 0.1% in the month. The estimate by the Office for National Statistics compared with the City consensus of 0.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index reached an all-time high in early trading Friday, lifted by renewed optimism over the global economy.

US markets faltered after a blowout session the previous day, while the surprising upstart came in the form of the FTSE 100, which has set the early pace and blew past its previous record high in open

The FTSE 100 has hit a new all-time high this morning, surpassing the previous peaks it received in the spring.

The FTSE 100 index fell 0.3% last night and is forecast to open today’s session flat at 8201. The pound is just below $1.22 ahead of the release of today’s monthly inflation figure.