The FTSE 100 neared its all-time high this week after it gained more than two per cent over the last seven days, closing today at 7,725.91.
The FTSE is up nearly 25 points today, close to its record high of 7,730.
ITV was the biggest rise with shares up nearly 7.5 per cent after brokers tipped it as a potential takeover target.
Other gainers include miners Randgold and Anglo American up 3.81 per cent and 2.97 per cent respectively, security firm G4S up 3.65 per cent and Royal Mail up nearly three per cent.
Read more: Royal Mail blames strike threat for failing to deliver on service targets
Utilities Severn Trent and United Utilities Group were among the worst performers with shares down 2.15 per cent and 1.97 per cent respectively.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said: “Investors should take heart from the resilience equities have shown as geopolitical tensions rise, and signs that stock can weather the storms of Iran, North Korea and others should encourage fresh flows into equity markets.”
In currencies the pound was up against the dollar by a quarter of a percent, rising to $1.35.
Looking forward Beauchamp said: “Next week should focus on oil data and German economic performance. The latter is especially important, given the recent weakness in the eurozone.”
