FTSE 100 hits record high as investors shrug off trade war concerns | FTSE

The FTSE 100 index of essentially the most useful firms on the London Inventory Alternate has soared to a document excessive as traders shrugged off issues over Donald Trump’s commerce wars.The FTSE 100 had the 9,000-point mark in its sights on Thursday, because it climbed to eight,979 factors, above its earlier all-time excessive of 8,908 factors.Shares rose in London amid a worldwide rally, as merchants grew assured that Trump would both attain agreements with US buying and selling companions, or once more delay or dial again his threatened tariffs.Mining shares led the FTSE 100 risers, with Anglo American, Glencore and Rio Tinto gaining about 3.8%.Victoria Scholar, the top of funding at Interactive Investor, mentioned: “Commodities are fuelling the positive aspects for the FTSE 100, with copper within the inexperienced and gold catching a bid on the again of a weaker US greenback.”The FTSE 100 ended the day at a brand new closing excessive of 8,975 factors, an increase of 108.6 factors or 1.23% through the day.The blue-chip share index has now risen by greater than 9% throughout 2025, having recovered from sharp losses in early April when markets tumbled after Trump introduced new tariffs on what he referred to as “liberation day”, earlier than recovering after he postponed them.The dear metals producer Fresnillo has been the top-performing FTSE 100 inventory up to now this yr; its shares are up 140% since 1 January, pushed by positive aspects within the costs of gold and silver.The British defence firm Babcock’s share worth has doubled up to now this yr, whereas the weapons-maker BAE Techniques is up 63% year-to-date, helped by expectations of a surge in defence spending because the Russia-Ukraine struggle continued.Shares have pushed increased this week regardless of Trump saying new tariff charges that might be imposed on imports from 1 August, postponed from a earlier date of 9 July.Chris Beauchamp, the chief market analyst at IG, mentioned traders have been in an “ebullient summer time temper”.“Maybe most notable is the market’s obvious indifference to escalating commerce tensions. Trump’s 50% tariff on copper imports and threats towards Brazil triggered little response. Many now view such bulletins as political posturing, summed up by Taco: Trump all the time chickens out,” he mentioned.skip previous e-newsletter promotionSign as much as Enterprise TodayGet set for the working day – we’ll level you to all of the enterprise information and evaluation you want each morningPrivacy Discover: Newsletters could include data about charities, on-line advertisements, and content material funded by outdoors events. For extra info see our Privateness Coverage. We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply.after e-newsletter promotionGermany’s DAX share index additionally hit a document excessive on Thursday. It has gained greater than 23% up to now this yr, lifted by plans from the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to extend authorities spending to drive funding and raise development.The FTSE 100 is seen as a gauge of optimism in regards to the world financial system, as most of the largest firms listed in London have a worldwide focus.Susannah Streeter, the top of cash and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, mentioned: “The FTSE 100 is stuffed filled with multinationals, that are delicate to the outlook for the world financial system. With the so-called Taco commerce in full swing, it’s benefiting from extra optimism round.”She added: “Buyers anticipate that Trump will ‘rooster out’ from imposing his menace.”