Interest rate hopes send Footsie to a record high as traders shrug off concerns about Trump's India tariffs
The index closed up 0.2 per cent, or 21.58 points, at 9164.31 after a similar record-breaking session on Tuesday when it passed 9142.
Traders shrugged off concerns about a trade war between the US and India after Donald Trump announced he would slap a 50 per cent tariff on goods from the South Asian nation in response to its importing of oil from Russia.
The FTSE 100 was led higher by insurer Hiscox, which jumped 9.4 per cent, or 119p, to 1379p after it announced it would be increasing its stock buyback plans by £75million.
Precious metals miner Fresnillo jumped 8.9 per cent, or 135p, to 1655p following strong results this week.
Traders were also pricing in an expected interest rate cut from the Bank of England later today.
Market forecasts are predicting the central bank will lower rates by 0.25 per cent to 4 per cent.
Rate cuts tend to boost stock markets as they make it easier for firms to borrow and invest, stimulating growth.
Lower rates also make it easier for mortgage holders and other borrowers to repay their debts, leaving them with extra cash to spend elsewhere.
A rate of 4 per cent would be the lowest in over two years and signal that the decision-makers on the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee believe inflation pressures are starting to ease.
But Tom Matterson, investment manager at Saltus, warned 'significant instability remains', highlighting the autumn Budget and turmoil in the global economy.
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North Wales Live
20 minutes ago
- North Wales Live
M&S shoppers can get 'delicious' £20 afternoon tea box for £5 in limited deal
From Monday the UK will be celebrating Afternoon Tea Week (August 11-17), an event that honours a truly British tradition as well as possibly one of our biggest debates - cream or jam first? Just in time for the occasion, M&S customers can now purchase an Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £5 thanks to a deal stack. The box of treats will be delivered directly to shoppers' doorsteps and includes a variety of cakes, biscuits, and teabags. The sweet goodies on offer include all-butter shortbread fingers, carrot and walnut cakes, Victoria sandwich cake, and Millionaire shortbread bars, reports the Express. While the box usually costs £20 including UK-wide delivery, savvy shoppers have spotted a way to get it even cheaper, thanks to a money-saving website. TopCashback offers a free £15 bonus to all new members when they sign up and then a percentage back on all qualifying purchases from thousands of retailers, including M&S. This means new Top Cashback members shopping at Marks and Spencer for the first time will effectively get the Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £4.67 after cashback. Meanwhile, new Top Cashback members who are existing M&S customers can get the Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £4.83 after cashback. M&S is not the only retailer celebrating by offering shoppers a way to get the essentials at home to mark the occasion. Artisan baker Cutter and Squidge's afternoon tea home delivery range starts from £29.99 and includes a picnic-friendly tea perfect for taking out on a sunny day. Meanwhile, if you're more a fan of biscuits than cakes, luxury hamper brand Cartwright and Butler has unveiled a £20 afternoon tea selection packed with biscuits and in an eye- catching tin. Elsewhere, home bakers looking for new inspiration - or an unusual gift - can snag Wonderbly's newly launched illustrated personalised baking book which is packed with recipes for delicious treats. But if you'd rather get out and about and let other people do the prep, Wowcher has up to 68% off thousands of afternoon teas up and down the country. If all of that feels like a lot of hard work though, M&S' Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift can be delivered straight to the door and has garnered high praise from customers, with a satisfaction score of 4.8 based on more than 5,000 reviews. One satisfied customer hailed it as the 'perfect gift'. They added: "All the cakes and biscuits were fresh and tasty. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The box arrived on time-although the box was slightly squashed, nothing was damaged." Another buyer praised the gift but noted a concern regarding the shelf life of the cakes: "Bought for a gift, looked lovely, nicely packaged. The only drawback is the dates on the cake. When it arrived, the dates were that we only had a week to use it." A different customer said: "Bought as a present for my sister, she was very pleased with the contents, which arrived in good condition and had a good selection of cakes with plenty of time on the use-by dates. Very happy with this purchase." Yet another customer shared their positive experience: "I ordered the afternoon tea letterbox to be sent to my daughter on a specified date. The box arrived on the date, and I was kept informed regarding the delivery time. "It was well received, and the contents were delicious. The recipient was delighted." The Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift Contents: Victoria Sandwich Cake (75g) x 2 Millionaires Shortbread Bar (50g) x 2 Carrot Cake with Walnuts (75g) x 2 All Butter Shortbread Fingers (84g) All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers (135g) Luxury Gold Tea Bags (16 Bags) Victoria Sandwich All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers Millionaires Shortbread Carrot Cake Walnuts All Butter Shortbread Fingers How to get an M&S afternoon tea for £5 with TopCashback:
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
M&S shoppers can get 'delicious' £20 afternoon tea box for £5 in limited deal
M&S shoppers can get 'delicious' £20 afternoon tea box for £5 in limited deal The box is packed with enough treats for two and is 75% off the usual price to coincide with Afternoon Tea Week Get the M&S Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £5 (Image: M&S) From Monday the UK will be celebrating Afternoon Tea Week (August 11-17), an event that honours a truly British tradition as well as possibly one of our biggest debates - cream or jam first? Just in time for the occasion, M&S customers can now purchase an Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £5 thanks to a deal stack. The box of treats will be delivered directly to shoppers' doorsteps and includes a variety of cakes, biscuits, and teabags. The sweet goodies on offer include all-butter shortbread fingers, carrot and walnut cakes, Victoria sandwich cake, and Millionaire shortbread bars, reports the Express. While the box usually costs £20 including UK-wide delivery, savvy shoppers have spotted a way to get it even cheaper, thanks to a money-saving website. TopCashback offers a free £15 bonus to all new members when they sign up and then a percentage back on all qualifying purchases from thousands of retailers, including M&S. This means new Top Cashback members shopping at Marks and Spencer for the first time will effectively get the Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £4.67 after cashback. Meanwhile, new Top Cashback members who are existing M&S customers can get the Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £4.83 after cashback. Carrot Cake with Walnuts is included in M&S's Afternoon Tea set (Image: M&S) M&S is not the only retailer celebrating by offering shoppers a way to get the essentials at home to mark the occasion. Artisan baker Cutter and Squidge's afternoon tea home delivery range starts from £29.99 and includes a picnic-friendly tea perfect for taking out on a sunny day. Meanwhile, if you're more a fan of biscuits than cakes, luxury hamper brand Cartwright and Butler has unveiled a £20 afternoon tea selection packed with biscuits and in an eye- catching tin. Elsewhere, home bakers looking for new inspiration - or an unusual gift - can snag Wonderbly's newly launched illustrated personalised baking book which is packed with recipes for delicious treats. But if you'd rather get out and about and let other people do the prep, Wowcher has up to 68% off thousands of afternoon teas up and down the country. If all of that feels like a lot of hard work though, M&S' Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift can be delivered straight to the door and has garnered high praise from customers, with a satisfaction score of 4.8 based on more than 5,000 reviews. One satisfied customer hailed it as the 'perfect gift'. They added: "All the cakes and biscuits were fresh and tasty. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The box arrived on time-although the box was slightly squashed, nothing was damaged." A range of biscuits included in the M&S afternoon tea box (Image: M&S) Another buyer praised the gift but noted a concern regarding the shelf life of the cakes: "Bought for a gift, looked lovely, nicely packaged. The only drawback is the dates on the cake. When it arrived, the dates were that we only had a week to use it." A different customer said: "Bought as a present for my sister, she was very pleased with the contents, which arrived in good condition and had a good selection of cakes with plenty of time on the use-by dates. Very happy with this purchase." Yet another customer shared their positive experience: "I ordered the afternoon tea letterbox to be sent to my daughter on a specified date. The box arrived on the date, and I was kept informed regarding the delivery time. "It was well received, and the contents were delicious. The recipient was delighted." The Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift Contents: Victoria Sandwich Cake (75g) x 2 Millionaires Shortbread Bar (50g) x 2 Carrot Cake with Walnuts (75g) x 2 All Butter Shortbread Fingers (84g) All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers (135g) Luxury Gold Tea Bags (16 Bags) Victoria Sandwich All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers Millionaires Shortbread Carrot Cake Walnuts All Butter Shortbread Fingers How to get an M&S afternoon tea for £5 with TopCashback: Article continues below Sign up as a new member at TopCashback for free via this link. Search for M&S on the site, click through and buy the item normally. Get £15 cashback when you spend £15 or more. The cashback will be tracked to the TopCashback 'Earnings page' within seven days of purchase.
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man United splashing cash on new strikers adds pressure on Amorim to deliver
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