The FTSE 100 climbed over 0.5% to a new record high of 9,777 on Wednesday, rebounding from the previous day’s AI-driven selloff as investors regained confidence. The index, largely insulated from tech volatility due to its heavy weighting in energy, finance, and consumer goods, benefited from gains in blue-chip stocks. HSBC rose more than 1%, Shell advanced 1%, and BP gained 1.7%, while BAT jumped 2%. Marks & Spencer was flat after “noisy” results overshadowed by a recent cyberattack, while Barratt Redrow added over 1% despite caution around the upcoming budget. Wetherspoons and Barratt noted that business sentiment remains fragile ahead of fiscal announcements. Traders are now focused on Thursday’s Bank of England meeting, widely expected to deliver no change in interest rates, though a small minority see room for a surprise rate cut.