The good start to the year for the FTSE 100 has been shared by counterparts in Europe, with the Stoxx 600 at a record high and, like the UK benchmark, set for its best monthly gain since November 2022. Both indexes are outperforming their peers in the US, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 having been held back by weakness in tech stocks.

Tech stock sell off over AI investment fears and the expectation of cheaper borrowing through more interest rate cuts are boosting the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100.

Britain's benchmark share index closed at a record high on Friday and logged its best month in more than two years, while investors prepared for the Bank of England's rate decision next week. The blue-chip FTSE 100 hit an all-time high of 8,

Jerome Powell, chairman of the US central bank, said that the bank is pausing to see further progress on inflation getting toward target following a string of cuts last year.

Britain's benchmark index touched a record high on Thursday as investors cheered a healthy set of corporate updates, while comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell also soothed markets. The blue-chip FTSE 100 touched a record-high and is set to log its fourth straight session of gains.