The FTSE 100 hit a fresh record high on Wednesday, lifted by strong earnings from insurers and gains in heavyweight stocks. Hiscox shares surged over 8.5% after posting better-than-expected H1 profits. CEO Aki Hussain highlighted a solid 14.5% operating return on tangible equity. Among major stocks, HSBC rose nearly 1%, while energy giants Shell and BP climbed 1.5% and 3.2%, respectively. On the downside, Glencore dropped almost 5% after ruling out a US listing, saying it wouldn’t add value. It also missed H1 earnings estimates due to lower coal prices and copper output from operational issues. Legal & General slipped nearly 2%, with strong retirement and retail profits offset by weak asset management and a softer solvency ratio. Coca-Cola HBC plunged almost 7%, as its beat was seen as FX-driven rather than operational.