FTSE sets a record close and could get a boost from UK data this morning

Yesterday it was onwards and upwards again for the FTSE 100. The UK benchmark set a daily close above 8,800 for the first time ever. The index closed 0.34% higher, at 8,807.44, with a gain of 30 points on the day, after reaching a new all time high at 8,810.62. The FTSE 100 futures are a little higher right now, but clearly trailing in the wake of what we are witnessing in the DAX futures right now. The UK data released earlier was pretty good and certainly much better than forecasts on virtually all fronts. That data could underpin the index further, when live trading resumes shortly. The FTSE 100 is of course into uncharted territory now though and in all truth the 9k handle looks increasingly like the next major level which might be on the radar from here on. The news emerging from Ukraine will surely add to any traction too. So, the index is right now priced to effectively reopen around 8,810