The price of the yellow metal hit a new all-time high

Evidence pointed to a ‘summer slowdown’ as the UK registered no growth in July.

The FTSE 100 posted strong gains on Thursday.

Nato fighter jets shot down Russian drones over Polish airspace for the first time.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 21.09 points, or 0.2%, at 9,242.53.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 13.23 points, or 0.1%, at 9,221.14.

The FTSE 100 index closed down 8.66 points, 0.1%, at 9,208.21.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 38.88 points, or 0.4%, at 9,216.87.

The moves help ease some of the immediate pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The FTSE 100 index closed down 79.65 points at 9,116.69.

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The FTSE 100 index closed down 29.48 points, 0.3%, at 9,187.34.

The FTSE 100 index closed down 38.68 points, 0.4%, at 9,216.82.

The ‘future direction of markets’ will be determined by the results said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

The FTSE 100 index closed down 55.60 points, 0.6%, at 9,265.80.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 12.20 points, 0.1%, at 9,321.40.

UK public sector borrowing was also better than expected last month, although the data is unlikely to end talk of tax rises in the autumn budget.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 98.92 points at 9,288.14.

In London, defence stocks fell sharply amid hopes of peace in Ukraine with Babcock International, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce all down.

Investors are focused on a speech by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell, with hopes he will provide clues on Fed plans for interest rates.