1. FTSE 100's 130-point surge takes index to record high, tops 8,500 for first time
Rate cut hopes drove the buying
2. Octopus Energy overtakes British Gas as UK's leading retail supplier
According to industry consultant Cornwall Insight, October now has a market share of 23.7%
3. HSBC hikes as mortgage rates back on the rise
Mortgage rates continued to edge up this week
4. Retail sales unexpectedly fall in run up to Christmas
According to the Office for National Statistics, retail sales declined by 0.3% over the key Christmas month
5. Musk's Starship blows up minutes after launch
SpaceX's colossal Starship rocket blew up shortly after its seventh test flight on Thursday
And with small caps
Quantum Blockchain Technologies reports Method C technology update
Premier African launches £3.5m placing for Zulu project reset