FTSE 100 beats 2018 record to hit all-time high

'More volatility in store'

The FTSE 100 reached an all-time high on Friday (3 February) amid investor hopes that global inflation may be peaking and central banks are nearing the end of aggressive interest rate hikes.

The UK's blue-chip index reached a record high at market close of 7901.80, beating the previous record high of 7877.45 set in May 2018. It reached an intra-day high of 7,906.58. However, at the open today (6 February), the index has fallen fairly sharply from its high on Friday, with about 90 of the stocks in the red.  Sectors including energy, mining and banking, which have profited from the macroeconomic environment of rising oil prices and higher inflation, have been major drivers of the index's positive performance. "The FTSE 100 is partly made up of legacy energy providers and...