London's FTSE 100 eyes biggest monthly rise since Feb as earnings, energy provide lift

The FTSE 100 index rose 0.5% to a record high, poised for its biggest monthly gain since February and sharpest weekly gain in over two months.

London's FTSE 100 hit an intraday record high for ‌the third session in a row on Friday, and was set to register weekly and monthly gains, as robust earnings buoyed markets through a week of central bank decisions and Middle East hostilities.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.5% to 10,947.73 points ‌by 1003 GMT, poised for its biggest monthly jump since February, and sharpest weekly gain in over two ‌months, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 0.4%.