The FTSE 100 has clocked its longest winning streak in over eight years – 12 consecutive sessions of gains – as global investors seek safer havens away from the chaos gripping US markets under President Trump’s second term.
Closing at 8,466 on Tuesday, the UK’s flagship index is now up nearly 6% this month, outperforming Wall Street benchmarks that have been roiled by renewed trade tensions, erratic policy shifts, and a string of regulatory threats from Washington.
It’s political
Analysts say the FTSE’s rise is not just technical – it’s political.
“With Trump escalating tariff rhetoric again and threatening new levies on Asian tech and European autos, capital is flowing towards markets seen as more predictable and rules-based,” said one City economist. “Right now, that makes London a relatively safe bet.”
Good for West Midlands
This shift in sentiment is breathing new life into UK equities and could have knock-on benefits for regions like the West Midlands. As international investors reposition portfolios, there’s renewed interest in sectors where the UK – and particularly the Midlands – has a global competitive edge: manufacturing, engineering and high-value services.
The post-Brexit clarity now offers investors something the US no longer can – regulatory stability. And that’s proving to be a magnet for those burned by the White House’s volatile stance on trade and business.
Meanwhile, Asia and continental Europe are also seeing an uptick as investors shift capital away from the turbulence in US markets. While Trump’s unpredictable economic interventions have rattled Wall Street, they’ve driven global money towards markets perceived as more stable – with the UK, Europe and parts of Asia emerging as relative safe havens.
Seize the opportunity
For the West Midlands, the message is clear: as the world turns away from the noise of Washington, regions with global-facing economies and strong export potential are back in vogue.
The FTSE 100 may just be the barometer. What matters now is whether UK regions can seize the opportunity.
