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FTSE 100 hits record as pound hit by Barnier comments | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares closed at a record high on Thursday, rising 0.3% to 7,556.24. | |
The rise of 22.43 points in the benchmark index took it above the previous high of 7,547.63, reached on 26 May this year. | |
However, the pound fell back after the EU's chief negotiator said talks over Brexit were making little progress. | |
Michel Barnier said there was still "deadlock" over the so-called divorce bill, which he said was "disturbing". | Michel Barnier said there was still "deadlock" over the so-called divorce bill, which he said was "disturbing". |
Sterling dropped in reaction to the news, with the pound down 0.39% against the dollar at $1.3173. It also fell 0.23% against the euro to €1.1122. | |
The index often benefits from a fall in sterling, as a weaker currency increases the value of companies' overseas earnings when they are brought back to the UK and converted back into pounds. | The index often benefits from a fall in sterling, as a weaker currency increases the value of companies' overseas earnings when they are brought back to the UK and converted back into pounds. |
"The UK stock market continues its winning streak despite concerns over economic performance and the unfolding Brexit process," said Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. | |
"The question is whether the market's strong run means it's fit to burst." | |
Sky was one of the biggest risers in the FTSE 100, up 1.4%, after the broadcaster reported a big rise in new customers. | |
Popular TV series such as Game of Thrones helped it to add 160,000 new customers in the first quarter of its financial year, up 51% on a year earlier. | Popular TV series such as Game of Thrones helped it to add 160,000 new customers in the first quarter of its financial year, up 51% on a year earlier. |
In the FTSE 250, shares in Just Eat jumped 6.5% after the online takeaway ordering firm's takeover bid for rival Hungryhouse was given provisional clearance. | |
The Competition and Markets Authority said the tie-up was "unlikely to result in competition concerns". | The Competition and Markets Authority said the tie-up was "unlikely to result in competition concerns". |
It said the industry was "evolving rapidly", with companies such as Deliveroo, Ubereats and Amazon all now entering the market. | It said the industry was "evolving rapidly", with companies such as Deliveroo, Ubereats and Amazon all now entering the market. |