The FTSE 100 comes out on top yesterday as UK bank earnings await

The FTSE 100 was the best performing major European stock market index yesterday, in what was a rather dull session, with the US markets closed. The FTSE 100 gained 0.22% and beat all that surrounded it, except for the Spanish IBEX 35. The FTSE 100 rose to a high at 7,734 and later closed at 7,728. Now this further rise above 7,700 was clearly contained and it comes ahead of a batch of major UK banks reporting this week. The largest of those is due sometime this morning, from the third largest FTSE 100 component and that is HSBC PLC. This could have an impact on the index, depending on what emerges here. Right now the FTSE 100 is pricing a slightly lower opening though, currently at around 7,722