The FTSE 100 rose 0.2% on Tuesday, building on Monday’s 0.4% gain, driven by a 12% surge in Spirax shares after the steam flow engineer posted better-than-expected earnings and maintained guidance. Citi called the results “encouraging,” with scope to beat forecasts, offering reassurance after years of declines. Miners also gained on the US–China trade truce extension, boosting metals demand prospects, while bank stocks with China exposure like Standard Chartered and HSBC, and oil major Shell, rose on improved sentiment and higher crude prices. Risk appetite was broadly stronger as the truce eased global uncertainty. UK jobs data added support, showing payrolls fell just 8,000 in July versus a 20,000 forecast drop, the smallest decline since January, with prior losses revised lower. Unemployment held at 4.7%, while private-sector wage growth excluding bonuses eased slightly to 4.8% from 4.9%.