London's top-flight index surged to an all-time high and recorded its best year since 2013 after riding out a turbulent 12 months thanks to a boost from the Brexit-hit pound. The FTSE 100 smashed its mid-session record and set a new all-time closing high by rising 22.57 points just before trading ended to close at 7,142.83. The late surge saw the UK's premier index break above both yesterday's closing record and the intra-day record level of 7129.83 that was set on October 11. It is the third record close in as many days. It came as London emerged as the best performer out of the major European stock markets this year, finishing 2016 more than 14 per cent higher despite Britain's voted to leave the European Union on June 23. The pound's fall, triggered by Britain's decision to quit the EU, has proved beneficial for multinational companies listed on the index as many tend to benefit from earnings in currencies - such as the US dollar - which are stronger than sterling.
