MT Newswires -ShutterstockLondon's FTSE 100 closed 0.17% higher on Thursday, following the release of more corporate earnings and production reports. "Glencore and copper markets have managed to hit their stride at precisely the right time and no doubt helping [its] conversations with Rio Tinto [RIO.L]," said RBC Capital Markets. In 2025, total vehicle manufacturing dropped 15.5% to 764,715 units. "2025 was the toughest year in a generation for UK vehicle manufacturing," said SMMT Chief Executive Officer Mike Hawes. The launch of a raft of new, increasingly electric, models and an improving economic outlook in key markets augur well."