The FTSE 100 is anticipated to open higher today, Friday 31 July 2026, building on two consecutive days of record intraday gains. On Thursday, the blue-chip index reached a new intraday high for the second day in a row.
However, the FTSE 100 did not achieve a new closing record on Thursday, falling rapidly in the afternoon to end the day with a loss of 0.1 per cent, or 11 points, at 10,897. Danni Hewson, AJ Bell's head of financial analysis, noted that London markets were boosted by investors seeking alternatives to AI spenders, but sentiment shifted as the day progressed.
The Bank of England voted to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday. The number of Monetary Policy Committee members advocating for a rate hike increased from two to three, with Catherine Mann joining Huw Pill and Megan Greene.
Bank Governor Andrew Bailey stated it was "too early" to conclude that the UK faces a prolonged period of high inflation. He emphasised his focus on stabilising consumer prices at the two per cent target growth rate.