London's FTSE 100 closes at record highs after US jobs data, Glencore boost

Jan 9 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 clocked a record high close on Friday as global sentiment got a lift from a U.S. jobs report which kept future Federal Reserve interest cuts on the table, and Glencore shares topped the index on the prospects of a merger.

The miner's GLEN.L shares jumped 9.6% to their highest since July 2024 following news it is in talks with Rio Tinto RIO.AX, RIO.L about a takeover that would create the world's largest mining group, valued at almost $207 billion.

London-listed shares of Rio closed 3% lower.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE recorded its second straight weekly gain and its highest ever close of 10,126.6 points, marking a 0.8% gain on the day.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX also climbed almost 1% to an all-time high.

Global risk appetite firmed after data showed U.S. employment growth slowed more than expected in December, with traders still pricing in about 54 basis points of easing in 2026, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Energy .FTNMX601010 gained 2.8%, among the biggest boosts to the FTSE 100, tracking higher crude oil prices .

British midcaps .FTMC also climbed 0.6%, hovering near their highest in more than three years and clocking their fourth straight weekly gain.

Among other stocks, Sainsbury's SBRY.L fell 5.3% after Britain's second-largest supermarket group reported a fall in general merchandise and clothing sales for the Christmas quarter.

IAG ICAG.L fell 2.7% after the airline group named the finance chief of its British Airways unit, Jose Antonio Barrionuevo , as the group's new CFO starting in June.