The FTSE 100 climbed to a new all-time high. The index jumped 0.8% or 82.51 points to 10,763.10. Industry experts suggest strong banking results and positive global momentum as key factors.
HSBC jumped about 4.68% to £1,351.80 after reporting stronger-than-expected Q4 earnings.
The lender posted Q4 profit of $6.8 billion, ahead of consensus estimates, and reaffirmed its commitment to a 50% dividend payout ratio.
Chief executive Georges Elhedery received £6.6 million in total remuneration for 2025 after a reported annual profit of $29.9 billion despite one-off impacts.
Wealth manager St James’s Place rose 5.92% to £1,334 after it announced record funds under management of £220 billion. This is a rise of 16% year-on-year. Strong client retention and £21.9 billion in net inflows helped underpin investor confidence.
Among others, Insurer Hiscox advanced 4.51% to £1,528 while precious metals miner Fresnillo gained 2.98% to £4,152. Copper producer Antofagasta also climbed 2.94% to £4,337.
Mining major Anglo American also edged 2.35% higher supported by firmer commodity prices. Gold traded 1% higher at $5,191 an ounce.
Diageo fell 5.31% to £1,774.50 after halving its interim dividend to 20 US cents from 40.5 cents a year earlier.
Operating profit slipped 1.2% to $3.1 billion for the six months to December. The company lowered full-year sales guidance amid continued weakness in the US spirits market.
Consumer healthcare group Haleon also declined 5%, while Croda International dropped 2.21%.
Household goods firm Reckitt slipped 1.10% to £6,322, and beverage bottler Coca-Cola HBC eased 0.96% to £4,740.
Also, AstraZeneca declined 0.35% to £15,272.
Aston Martin has said that as part of a review into its operations, it would consult on proposals to cut its workforce by 20%.
This came as wholesale volumes fell by 10% in the last year to 5,448 units.
Meanwhile, revenue slumped 21% to £1.3 billion, and profit tumbled 37% to £370 million.
Aston Martin chief executive Adrian Hallmark said: “In 2025, we navigated a highly challenging trading environment whilst delivering on critical operational milestones”.
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Heathrow Airport reported a 37.3% drop in pre-tax profit to £575 million but resumed dividend payments totalling £550 million for the year as passenger numbers reached 84.5 million.
Energy bills are set to fall 7% from April, offering some relief to households as Ofgem lowers the price cap.
In the US, the Nasdaq Composite closed 1% higher, alongside a 0.8% gain for the S&P 500 index and Dow Jones Industrial Average. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed over 2%.
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