FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Trades at Record Levels

On Wednesday, the FTSE 100 climbed by 0.3% to reach a record high, aligning with a broader surge in global stocks, although it trailed behind its European counterparts. Contributing to the index's rise were notable performances from BAE Systems (up 1.8%), AstraZeneca (up 1.7%), and GSK (up 1.1%), with healthcare stocks showing gains from the previous day. Conversely, the index was held back by declines in major oil companies, with Shell falling by 0.6% and BP by 1%, as the energy sector felt the impact of decreasing crude prices. Meanwhile, Beazley, an insurer, plummeted by up to 7%, marking its lowest point since July as it revised its growth guidance downward. Homebuilder Persimmon also saw a decline following its results.