FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Extends Record Winning Run On Earnings

UK stocks have hit a record high for the third consecutive session, due in part to positive earnings reports and the news of a potential takeover bid for Anglo American inducing a boost in investor sentiment.

The flagship FTSE 100 saw an increase of 47 points or 0.6%, landing at 8,087, despite a marginal dip the previous day.

Shares in Barclays rose significantly, by 4.2%, following the bank's report of a smaller than anticipated decline in profits for the first quarter.

Consumer goods powerhouse, Unilever, observed a 5.3% surge in shares as it outperformed first-quarter sales expectations and maintained its full-year forecast for underlying sales growth within its proposed multi-year range of 3-5%.

Anglo American's shares also skyrocketed by 12.5%, following the proposal from mining behemoth BHP Group to take over the rival company aiming to create the largest copper miner worldwide, producing roughly 10% of all global output.

Residential developer, Persimmon, also witnessed a modest increase in shares, roughly 1%, following its reconfirmation of its yearly home-build targets.