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.

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.

The FTSE 100 index is seen falling by about 30 points, having posted 1% gains over the three previous sessions to close on Friday at a record 8505. Hopes of lower interest rates also helped the Dow Jones Industrial Average to add 0.8% while the S&P 500 rose 1% and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.5%.

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.

The FTSE 100 finished just short of a fresh record high despite rising amid strong sessions from utilities firms. It came as Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out ambitions to kickstart economic growth with planning reform,