FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Rises 0.6%

On Thursday, the FTSE 100 index increased by 0.6%, surpassing other European indices, driven by gains in the mining and energy sectors as investors assessed mixed labor market data from the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the job market continues to show signs of weakening, with payroll numbers declining again. However, revised tax data suggests the reduction isn't as severe as initially thought. Wages increased beyond expectations while unemployment rose slightly to 4.7%. In corporate developments, EasyJet's shares dropped by 5% following the airline's warning that strikes by French air traffic controllers and rising fuel costs would affect their profits. Jefferies subsequently lowered its profit forecast by 5.5%. Nonetheless, EasyJet posted higher third-quarter profits and anticipates overall earnings growth for the year, though this will largely depend on securing late summer bookings, as more customers are booking vacations nearer to their travel dates.