FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Trades at Record, Up 6.5% in February

The FTSE 100 rose 0.4% to around 10,890 on Friday, extending its strong monthly advance to roughly 6.5% and setting another record high. Mining stocks led the gains, with Rio Tinto, Anglo American, and Glencore benefiting from firmer metals prices, while precious metals producers Fresnillo and Endeavour Mining also moved higher. Rightmove jumped about 6% after reporting stronger revenue and announcing a share buyback, and International Airlines Group advanced on an upbeat outlook and the launch of a €1.5 billion repurchase programme. By contrast, Melrose Industries dropped sharply after issuing cautious guidance. Separately, GfK data showed a decline in UK consumer confidence, while a by-election victory for the Green Party of England and Wales underscored growing political pressure on Keir Starmer’s Labour government.