Finance
London's FTSE 100 touches fresh peak as miners, healthcare gain; Pearson drops
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 14, 2026
FTSE 100 Reaches New Heights as Mining and Healthcare Stocks Surge
FTSE 100 Performance Overview
By Tharuniyaa .
Mining and Healthcare Sector Gains
Jan 14 (Reuters) - The UK's FTSE 100 scaled a record high on Wednesday, powered by gains in mining and healthcare stocks, while education company Pearson fell after losing a New Jersey contract.
Impact of Pearson's Contract Loss
The blue-chip FTSE 100 was up 0.3% as of 1010 GMT, following a subdued session the previous day. The domestically focused mid-cap index was down 0.37%.
Market Reactions to Economic Indicators
The precious metals and miners index climbed 1.9% after gold prices jumped 1% to $4,632.03 per ounce, buoyed by softer U.S. inflation data that reinforced expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and stoked demand for safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty. [GOL/]
"A more interventionist Donald Trump who is pressuring the Fed, demanding corporations do as he wishes, and plans to take Greenland are all driving flows into the relative safety of gold," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB.
Separately, Bank of England policymaker Alan Taylor said UK interest rates should keep falling as inflation is on track to hit the 2% target by mid-2026, earlier than previously forecast.
London-listed miners rose, with Antofagasta, Rio Tinto and Glencore gaining between 1.1% and 2.1%, boosted by higher copper prices. [MET/L]
The pharmaceutical index also advanced, up 1.6%, helped by heavyweight AstraZeneca after the drugmaker agreed to buy Boston-based Modella AI, as the industry increasingly uses artificial intelligence to speed up drug discovery.
Capping gains on the FTSE 100, the media index slipped 2.8%, dragged by an 8% drop in Pearson, the benchmark's worst performer.
The British education company reported that its biggest division, Assessment & Qualifications, lost a contract with New Jersey, which will be a headwind in the first half of 2026.
BP fell 1.3% after the oil major said it expects to book $4 billion to $5 billion in fourth-quarter impairments, mainly tied to its energy transition businesses.
(Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
Frequently Asked Questions about London's FTSE 100 touches fresh peak as miners, healthcare gain; Pearson drops
1What is the FTSE 100?
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.
2What are mining stocks?
Mining stocks are shares in companies involved in the extraction of minerals and resources, such as gold, silver, and copper, often influenced by commodity prices.
3What is a blue-chip stock?
A blue-chip stock refers to shares in large, well-established, and financially sound companies that have a history of reliable performance and dividends.
4What is economic inflation?
Economic inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power.
5What is a contract loss in business?
A contract loss occurs when a company loses a contract it previously held, which can negatively impact its revenue and market position.
