The FTSE 100 has recorded its longest winning streak in over eight years, closing higher for the 12th consecutive session.
The index of blue-chip shares rose by 46 points, or 0.55%, today to finish at 8,463 — its highest closing level in three weeks. This surpasses the 11-day rally seen in December 2019, which followed the Conservative Party’s general election victory under Boris Johnson.
The last time the FTSE 100 achieved a longer streak was in January 2017, when it rose for 14 consecutive trading days.
Despite this sustained upward momentum, the index remains down 1.3% for the month of April, having yet to fully recover losses sustained earlier in the month amid heightened trade tensions.
Among the top risers on the FTSE 100 were HSBC and Standard Chartered. HSBC, the index’s second-largest constituent, advanced following the release of better-than-expected first-quarter earnings. Standard Chartered also saw gains ahead of its earnings report later this week.
AstraZeneca, the largest company on the index, rebounded from an early decline of 4% to close up 0.8%, following a midday conference call with analysts that appeared to reassure investors.
Howden Joinery led the index, rising 4.3% after a trading update that helped the stock recover from a recent 12-month low.
Entain also posted gains, climbing 2.4% after releasing its latest trading update.
Conversely, Associated British Foods, owner of Primark, was the day’s biggest faller, following interim results that included a downgrade to its guidance.
