The FTSE 100 soared to a new all-time high of 8,960.72, climbing over 93 points or 1.05% on Thursday. The rally was powered by strong gains in mining stocks, fueled by rising commodity prices and investor indifference to U.S. trade policy turbulence.
This marks the second time in 2025 the UK’s benchmark index has set a record, with the latest momentum reflecting both strong resource demand and investor repositioning away from U.S. equities.
London-listed miners were at the forefront of Thursday’s gains:
Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) and Glencore (LON:GLEN) both surged ~3.6%
Anglo American (LON:AAL) jumped more than 4%
Fresnillo (LON:FRES) and Endeavour Mining climbed over 2%
The upward pressure was driven by rallying prices for iron ore, copper, and gold, which have surged amid supply concerns and sustained global demand—despite tariff volatility.
To stay informed on daily commodity movements, use the Commodities API, which tracks real-time prices for copper, gold, and other key resources impacting the FTSE.
President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on copper imports, along with new trade threats against Brazil, failed to dent investor sentiment. Instead, analysts suggested traders are tuning out the noise.
Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst at IG, remarked:
“Perhaps most notable is the market’s apparent indifference to escalating trade tensions... Many now view such announcements as political posturing, summed up by TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out.”
The FTSE 100 has now gained 9.5% year-to-date, with increased rotation out of U.S. equities and into UK-listed resource and dividend-rich firms, as investors brace for potential American macro headwinds.
The UK’s early trade deal with the U.S. has also helped bolster London’s market appeal amid global uncertainty. As tariff risks mount in the U.S., UK stocks offer relative insulation, particularly in the commodity and industrial sectors.
For macroeconomic insights driving investor rotation, consult the Economics Calendar API, which covers geopolitical shifts, trade balances, and monetary policy events globally.
With commodity prices rising, tariff fears muted, and the UK market offering a geopolitical hedge, the FTSE 100’s bullish momentum looks sustainable—at least in the near term. While risks remain, particularly from global trade fallout, investors are clearly betting that London’s equity story still has legs.
