FTSE 100 hits new record

FTSE 100 closed at a new record as investors “fished for opportunities” outside of the US.

The FTSE 100 index closed on Thursday at 8,884 as leading shares increased 0.23%, as mining and energy giants helped with the rise.

Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said, “The UK stock market has been a star performer this year, delivering more than three times the return as the S&P 500 in the US.

“It’s been ages since the UK trumped the US on the stock market, and 2025 has been the breakthrough year.

“Driving the FTSE 100 this year have been precious metal miners including Fresnillo, defence stocks Babcock, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, and financials such as Lloyds and Prudential.

“It’s been an eventful first half of the year, with many investors turning their backs on the US amid concerns about Donald Trump’s trade policies and how they might hurt the economy.

“They’ve fished for opportunities across the pond, with Europe being a magnet thanks to its cheaper markets relative to the US.

“The UK market has done well, but Germany has done even better thanks to the government’s plans to splash the cash on defence and infrastructure.”