BT Group today said the roll out of full fibre broadband passed more than one million premises for the fourth consecutive quarter. The Openreach division has now reached 17 million premises - more than half the UK - and is on track to reach 25 million by December 2026.

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.

Britain's benchmark index closed at record peak on Thursday as investors cheered a healthy set of corporate updates, while a surge in precious metal miners also boosted the index. The blue-chip FTSE 100 closed at record-high and smashed through the psychological 8,

WH Smith has reported “strong momentum” in its travel business after sales in the division rose 6% on a like-for-like basis in the 21 weeks to 25 January. This figure included a 7% rise in the UK travel estate and 3% in North America.

Britain's benchmark index, the FTSE 100, reached a record high as investors reacted positively to strong corporate updates and soothing comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Companies like Shell and Watches of Switzerland Group contributed significantly to the index's rise,

The Nasdaq Composite last night closed 3.1% lower after tech industry valuations were shaken by the emergence of China AI chatbot DeepSeek. Chipmaker Nvidia lost 17% or $600 billion of its value, alongside falls of 10% for Arm Holdings and 2% for Microsoft.

European and US markets were in positive territory as investors continue to digest the potential impact of DeepSeek.

British equities started the week on a subdued note, with industrial metal miners dragging the index lower, while investors brace for the Federal Reserve's rate decision later in the week.

​​​FTSE 100, DAX 40 and Nasdaq 100 drop amid China growth contraction and AI concerns. ​The FTSE 100 is swiftly coming off Friday's 's record high at 8,587 amid renewed US tariff threats but seems to be finding support marginally above its key 8,419-to-8,372 support zone. This is expected to hold.

(Reuters) - The UK's FTSE 100 stalled on Thursday after touching a record high in the prior session as investors sought clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies, while shares in CMC Markets tumbled on a disappointing forecast.

London’s FTSE 100 hit a record high Friday, as international exposure in the equity index shielded it from much of the turmoil that has weakened the pound, gilts and domestic stocks.

--Off 0.72% from its 52-week high of 8565.20 hit Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 --Up 13.20% from its 52-week low of 7512.28 hit Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 --Rose 11.41% from 52 weeks ago --Off 0.72% from its ...