Eyes on Trump39;s return to White House
Reach set for best day in over 14 years
Pod Point Group plunges after downbeat forecast
FTSE 100 up 0.2, FTSE 250 down 0.6

Jan 20 Reuters London39;s bluechip FTSE 100 traded near alltime highs on Monday as investors awaited Donald Trump39;s return to the White House for fresh insights on his stance on tariffs and international relations.

The FTSE 100 index of top British firms edged up 0.2, hovering just below its record peak touched on Friday. Trading volumes were thin due to a U.S. holiday.

Trump, who has pledged to sign a flurry of executive orders concerning immigration, energy and tariffs on his first day in office, will be sworn in as the U.S. President at 1700 GMT.

Traders have been concerned that his threats of tariffs on China and other countries could stoke inflation and weigh on global growth.

Also in focus this week is the annual gathering of government and business leaders in Davos as well as earnings reports.

Stock markets across the globe surged last week after data pointing to slowing inflation in the U.S. and the UK prompted traders to add to bets of further rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.

Traders are currently pricing in an 81 chance of a 25 basis points rate cut from the BoE early next month, and see 62 bps of easing overall by the end of 2025.

The FTSE 250 midcap index dipped 0.5 after a fourday run of gains.

Among single stocks, Reach Plc soared 26, on course for its best…