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FTSE 100 approaches to all-time high on bullish data

Xinhua, February 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

FTSE 100 Index, British benchmark stock market gauge, Friday increased by 0.38 percent, or 26.30 points, to 6,915.20, approaching its all-time high of 6,930.20 in late December 1999, as data from the eurozone boosted the market.

The flash reading of the eurozone's composite purchasing managers' index was 53.5 in Feburary, higher than the previous month's 52.6, recording its seven month high.

On the same day, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) of Britain showed that Britain's retail sales volume increased by 5.4 percent in January 2015 compared with that of a year earlier, recording the 22nd consecutive year-on-year growth.

Compared with the prior month, the quantity bought decreased by 0.3 percent, because of the downwards pressure from predominantly food stores, textile, clothing and footwear and other stores, said the ONS.

Glencore' share price increased by 3.02 percent, topped the gainers of the blue chips.

Prices of Standard Life, Weir Group, Tullow Oil and BG Group advanced by 2.72 percent, 2.63 percent, 2.29 percent and 2.09 percent respectively.

International Consolidated Airlines Group led the top losers of the blue chips with a share price drop of 2.31 percent, followed by Carnival (2.28 percent), Centrica (1.94 percent), Kingfisher (1.90 percent) and easyJet (1.85 percent).

Trading in FTSE 100 companies was slightly higher than the 30-day average. And the index has gained 5.84 percent so far this year in U.S. dollar term. Endit