Tuesday, 16 May: The FTSE 100 started brightly for a second consecutive day, lifted by a mix of telecoms, miners and consumer discretionary stocks before closing out the day at a record high 7,522.03, +0.91%.

Vodafone led the FTSE 100 pack higher(+4.16%), after it announced the achievement of its organic growth target for 2017, despite taking a €5.0bn non-cash impairment relating to its Indian business as a result of a significantly more competitive market than anticipated. However, Investors were captivated by the improved cash generation of the business reaffirming dividend cover and bullish guidance.

easyjet dove 7.25% lower as it announced widening losses, in contrast to TUI’s announcement only yesterday. The airliner’s pretax loss widened, but revenue was reported higher as it carried more passengers. The pretax loss in the six months ended March 31 widened to £236.0m from only £18.0m a year before. Though, bookings for the Summer were reported ahead of last year as demand for getaways was sustained.

The latest U.K. inflation data announcement led to weakness in sterling trade against both the dollar(-0.43%) and the euro(-0.38%) shortly after the announcement, before clawing back some losses as the day progressed. Data showed that U.K. consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in over three years, suggesting a squeeze in living standards on the country heads to polling booths in less than a month for a General Election. Annual inflation stood at 2.7% in April, up from 2.3% in March, the Office for National Statistics reported and in line with a Wall Street Journal forecast. April’s price growth was driven by Easter-linked seasonal fluctuations in airfare prices, as well as rising prices of clothing. This marked the third consecutive months of above-target inflation, with prices now growing roughly at the same rate as British workers’ wages.

Across Europe, indices were mixed as the FTSE 100 closed +0.91%, the CAC 40 -0.21% and the DAX -0.02%.