The FTSE 100 remained on its record-breaking streak on Friday, climbing to yet another intraday high of 8,136 as the market opened.

NatWest was among big names reporting, with the lender echoing rivals with news of lower first-quarter net interest margins, leaving profit down 28% at £918 million.

Also making headlines was Anglo American after rejecting an all-paper £31 billion takeover bid from BHP, which it dubbed ‘opportunistic’ and ‘uncertain’.

Education firm Pearson slipped as news of a 3% growth in sales over the first quarter appeared to disappoint.

In the US, Microsoft looked set to reclaim its US$3 trillion market cap after shares climbed in pre-market trading following a first-quarter earnings beat.

In macro news, GfK’s consumer confidence indicator showed the first improvement in three months in April.

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