Bitcoin rose above $70,000 for the first time as a fresh wave of crypto mania swept up investors.
The digital coin hit an all-time high of $70,175 as it took gains for the year so far to more than 60 per cent.
Gold also hit a record $2,185 an ounce amid growing hopes of interest rate cuts on both sides of the Atlantic in the coming months.
Midas touch: Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $70,175 as it took gains for the year so far to more than 60 per cent
And global stock markets touched new highs as not-too-hot, not-too-cold jobs figures in the US suggested the world’s biggest economy has weathered a sustained period of higher borrowing costs and can now look forward to some relief.
There was a notable exception in all the cheer, however, as the FTSE 100 index fell 0.4 per cent, or 32.72 points, to 7659.74 and the FTSE 250 gained 0.1 per cent, or 17.8 points, to 19601.78.
The subdued performance in London will do little to allay concerns that the UK stock market has lost its lustre and is now lagging behind global rivals.
The wider rally came after US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said inflation is ‘not far’ from where it needs to be for the central bank to cut interest rates.
The Bank of England and European Central Bank are expected to follow suit this summer.
In London, life insurer Just Group reported a record 2023 as its profits surged 47 per cent to £377million.
It expects to achieve its target of doubling profits in three years rather than five. Just Group shares jumped 13.7 per cent, or 12.2p, to 101.4p.
Exhibitions business Informa cashed in on growing demand for live events in India, the Middle East and Africa. Group revenues soared 41 per cent to £3.2billion last year while profits increased by nearly three-quarters to £854m.
The group upgraded its forecasts for 2024 and expects to make between £3.45billion and £3.5billion of revenue and a profit of £950m to £970m. Shares rose 0.3 per cent, or 2.6p, to 808.2p.
Currys is on course to sell its Greek and Cypriot business for £175million. The electronics retailer expects to complete the disposal of Kotsovolos to Greece’s utility firm Public Power Corporation in the first half of April and use the proceeds to reduce debt. Curry shares shed 1.5 per cent, or 1p, to 64.5p.
Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain also came under further pressure. On Thursday, the gambling giant reported annual losses of more than £840million for 2023 and warned it faces a £40million hit this year due to regulatory challenges.
Entain shares, which dropped 4.9 per cent in the previous session, slipped another 5.4 per cent, or 43p, to 747p.
Engineering firm Spirax fell after analysts at Stifel urged its clients to sell the stock, outweighing an upgrade from the investment bank Berenberg. Shares fell 0.8 per cent, or 80p, to 10580p.
Property firm Henry Boot marched on new ground after its development arm won planning consent for a major Manchester city centre office scheme. Shares rose 0.8 per cent, or 1.5p, to 182.5p.
Energy group Petrofac won a three-year contract worth more than £155million to help operate a gas field for a state-owned company in Turkmenistan. Shares gained 6.5 per cent, or 1.5p, to 24.76p.
