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 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,

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.