Stock market index FTSE 100 approaching record for longest continuous increase.
FTSE 100 Breaks Records with Its Longest Winning Streak
Cheer up, Brits! The FTSE 100 is breaking records as it impresses with a never-before-seen winning streak. If it closes in the green on Friday, this bad boy will have claimed glory for 15 consecutive trading days!
That's right, folks! This victory beats the previous record, set back in 2017, by one whole day. The FTSE 100 is proving to be a true powerhouse, recovering from the chaos caused by April's tariff turmoil.
The index has this winning streak locked down, thanks to the morning rally of firms that surged on the back of some spectacular first-quarter results.
Take Natwest, for example, which skyrocketed nearly three percent, eventually consolidating around one percent. Well, it bloody well deserved it, as it effortlessly outstripped analyst profit expectations, pocketing a whopping £1.8bn. So, what was the cause for this incredible gain? Increased mortgage lending from the stamp duty dash, followed by a bang-up trading income boost from Q1's market turbulence.
But, hold onto your hats, because the champion of the blue-chip index, Shell, also scored big with a nearly three percent rise. You might ask, what's the big deal? Well, it's Shell's 14th consecutive quarter of buying back shares in a row! That's some commitment to shareholder value, son!
Mining stocks were also on fire in the morning, with metal prices surging on the hopeful buzz of lower tariffs between China and the US. Anglo American, Antofagasta, Glencore, and Rio Tinto all made it rain, seeing percentage gains of nearly two, over one, nearly one, and nearly one respectively.
The FTSE 250 also joined the party, booking a one percent gain in early trading before trading broadly flat. If it manages to get a win, this mid-cap index will be hanging onto the longest winning streak since 2020, a glorious eight days!
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, gleefully reported that, "The FTSE 100 was set to extend its winning streak, with signs of a potential cooling of the tariff stand-off between the US and China giving investors a massive mood boost."
In fact, there were strong gains in Asia and on Wall Street overnight, largely due to heartening results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms, as well as optimism about Apple's and Amazon's earnings. AJ Bell also highlights that, despite the mixed findings from the big tech boys, the index's resilience and lessened impact from tariffs have been instrumental drivers of the rally.
Will the FTSE 100 continue to call the shots against Trump's roaring markets? Guess we'll have to wait and see, mate!
FTSE 100 Soars Past NYC Markets
It's a bird, it's a plane... No, it's the FTSE 100, son! After a nosedive in early April 2025, the plucky index has taken off like an eagle, leaving other global markets trailing in its dust. As the FTSE 100 stands tall with its 15-day winning streak, others have been struggling to keep up.
What caused such a turnaround, you might ask? Well, the conservative investment environment of the FTSE 100 contrasts starkly with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which has tumbled 2.5 percent since January 2025, when tariff talk first heated up. The index's sensational performance can be chalked up to several factors:
- Easing trade tensions: After Trump rolled back tariffs, fears of trade wars subsided, allowing the market to steady.
- Strong corporate results: Improved business performances have given the markets renewed vigor.
- Comparative resilience: While the FTSE 100's gains might seem not-so-impressive compared to earlier years, it's important to remember that it's holding its own against U.S. indices like the S&P 500 (down almost 6 percent) and Nasdaq.
- Market sentiment: As optimism spreads, confidence in both trade agreements and economic stability grows.
The FTSE 100's recovery from an April 9 low of 7,679.48 reflects the cyclical nature of the economy and the ebb and flow of market sentiment. Its impressive win streak is a testament to the resilience of the index in the face of adversity.
And, as for Trump's Truth Social post blaming former President Joe Biden for the market woes? Boy, talk about missing the forest for the trees! The truth is, the FTSE 100 is on a tear, and it ain't showing any signs of slowing down!
- The FTSE 100 is currently enjoying its longest winning streak, spanning 15 consecutive trading days, breaking the previous record set in 2017.
- On Friday, the FTSE 100 could potentially extend this record-breaking winning streak if it closes in the green.
- The FTSE 100's recent surge in the market has helped it recover from the chaos caused by April's tariff turmoil.
- Firms like Natwest, which surged nearly three percent, have contributed significantly to the FTSE 100's impressive performance.
- Shell, the champion of the blue-chip index, has seen a nearly three percent rise, marking its 14th consecutive quarter of buying back shares.
- Mining stocks have also seen significant growth, with metal prices surging on the hopeful buzz of lower tariffs between China and the US.
- Amidst the market rally, the FTSE 250 is also showing signs of a potential prolonged winning streak, as it seeks to match its longest streak since 2020.
