The blue-chip index has a high proportion of internationally-exposed companies that benefit from a weaker pound, plus a large number of defensive stocks that investors tend to favour during times of market tumult.

The FTSE 100 index is seen moving closer to a record high after back-to-back sessions in which London’s top flight has risen 1%. Futures trading points to a rise of about 18 points to 8410, not far from May’s intraday high of 8474 and the closing peak of 8445.

Jon Smith considers both sides of the argument as to whether it really makes sense to buy FTSE 100 shares give the current index price. The post At a record high, is it time to buy or sell FTSE 100 stocks?