FTSE 100 (^FTSE)
- PA Media: Money
FTSE 100 smashes 7,000 points for first time in 14 months
London’s top index rose 0.5% on Friday, capping off a strong week for the country’s biggest listed companies
- Reuters
FTSE 100 ends second week higher on higher commodity prices, rebound bets
London's FTSE 100 ended above the 7,000 mark on Friday for the first time since the pandemic pummelled risk assets last year and gained for the second consecutive week as falling coronavirus infections lifted optimism about a stronger economic recovery. “Value-style stocks offering jam today rather than jam tomorrow have been in demand, as well as lots of companies well placed to benefit from the reopening of the economy thanks to the rollout of the COVID vaccines," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. The domestically focussed mid-cap FTSE 250 index gained 0.2% for the third consecutive session to hit a fresh record high.
- Reuters
European stocks notch new highs as Daimler earnings lift carmakers
(Reuters) -European stocks ended at a record high on Friday, marking its seventh straight week of gains, after strong U.S. and China economic data spurred optimism about a speedy global recovery, while upbeat results from Germany's Daimler boosted carmakers. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.8%. Global stock markets scaled record highs after data showed China's economic recovery quickened sharply in the first quarter and U.S. retail sales rose by the most in 10 months in March.
