FTSE 100 makes early gains as unemployment rises; Abrdn jumps – Market Report [Video]

FTSE 100 continues to hit new record highs as investors digest a wave of executive orders following Donald Trump’s inauguration, including the immediate revoking of a US offshore drilling ban imposed by his predecessor.

London’s blue-chip index was up 6 at 8,526 after yesterday’s record-breaking day, led by the banks on interest rate cut doubts after the latest UK jobs data showed wage growth remains high.

Unemployment rose to 4.4% in the three months to November, but it was wage growth rising to 5.6% that caught the eye.

Elsewhere, fund manager Abrdn is a strong early performer as it defied fears to report an inflow of £500 million helped by new joiners to its wealth platform Interactive Investor.

Finally, Marston’s is the latest pub group to toast a bumper Christmas with sales up 3% in the quarter to 18 January despite recent poor weather and the seasonal period described as …