Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 24, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleFTSE 100 hits record high, driven by financial gains and positive NatWest results, amid cooling US inflation and hopes for interest rate cuts.
(Reuters) -Britain's FTSE 100 closed at a record high on Friday, capping a strong week for London equities, as financial stocks gained following upbeat results from NatWest and signs of cooling inflation pressures in the United States.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 finished 0.7% higher at 9,645.62 points, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 gained 0.75% to end at 22,529.02 - a level not seen since early 2022.
The internationally-focused FTSE 100 also notched up its biggest weekly rise in over six months as investors globally cheered U.S. data showing consumer prices rose less than expected in September, firming expectations for an interest cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve when it meets next week.
Markets were also hopeful that a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next week could soothe trade tensions between the two economic powers.
It has also been a good week for domestically-focused companies, with the mid-cap index also marking its steepest weekly rise in over six months after steady UK inflation figures earlier this week boosted expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates by 25 basis points in December.
Corporate earnings are in full swing. NatWest gained 4.9% to touch its highest since 2008 after the bank reported a 30% rise in third-quarter profit and upgraded its 2025 performance target. The broader banks index gained 1.4% and was among the top sectoral performers.
WH Smith rose 4.2%, among the best FTSE 250 performers, after brokerage Peel Hunt upgraded the travel retailer to "buy" from "hold".
London Stock Exchange Group rose 4.8% after at least three brokerages raised target prices following upbeat third-quarter results on Thursday.
Data on Friday also showed that retail sales unexpectedly rose for a fourth straight month, led by tech and jewellery sales. The broader retail sector added 1.4%.
(Reporting by Avinash P. Editing by Tasim Zahid and Mark Potter)
The FTSE 100 is a stock market index that represents the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, reflecting the performance of the UK stock market.
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. Central banks often adjust interest rates to manage inflation.
The London Stock Exchange is one of the largest stock exchanges in the world, where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold.
Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money or the return on savings, expressed as a percentage. They are influenced by central bank policies and economic conditions.
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