London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index rose to fresh record levels on Thursday, propelled by strong earnings reports and significant share buyback announcements from key constituents.

Investors pushed the blue-chip index higher as Rolls-Royce and the London Stock Exchange Group delivered results that reinforced confidence in the UK equity market.

Rolls-Royce reported a substantial increase in annual profit and outlined an expanded capital return strategy, including a multibillion-pound share repurchase programme.

The aerospace and defence giant’s performance drew renewed market interest, contributing materially to the FTSE 100’s advance.

The London Stock Exchange Group also unveiled plans for a landmark £3 billion share buyback, the largest in its history, aimed at bolstering investor confidence amid recent stock price pressure and concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on its data and analytics business.

The news was received positively by the market, lifting the firm’s shares and underpinning index gains.

Other blue-chip names with robust earnings and capital return plans helped sustain the index’s momentum, with natural resources and engineering stocks among the notable contributors.

The pound’s performance against the dollar also played a supporting role as currency movements influence overseas investor demand for UK equities.

While some global technology firms delivered mixed results, London’s market maintained resilience, with corporate fundamentals and shareholder-friendly actions such as buybacks driving demand.

The FTSE 100’s new highs reflect a broader narrative of renewed corporate profitability, strong balance sheets, and active capital management across the UK’s largest listed companies.