The FTSE 100 clawed back earlier losses to close just above flat at 9,760.1 on Thursday, still marking a fresh record high. Investors weighed a new batch of corporate earnings, the US-China trade deal, and remarks from Fed Chair Powell, who cautioned that a December rate cut is not guaranteed. Among key movers, banking group Standard Chartered led the way, up 3.6%, after saying it expects full-year income to reach the upper end of its 5%–7% growth range, following a rise in Q3 earnings driven by its wealth division. Shell rose 0.3% after beating third-quarter profit forecasts, helped by strong gas division results, and said it will continue its $3.5 billion share buyback over the next three months. On the downside, WPP plunged more than 16% after launching a strategic review and warning on profits again, following a 5.9% decline in like-for-like net revenue for the quarter and a projected full-year drop of up to 6%.