India, July 10 -- The UK stock market climbed to a new record high Thursday morning, lifted by strong gains in the mining sector.

The undertone in major European markets is quite firm today amid optimism about a potential trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union.

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said there was good progress on a framework trade agreement and a deal may even be possible within days.

The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 104.09 points or 1.17% at 8,971.11 about a quarter past noon.

Anglo American Plc shares are up more than 5%. Rio Tinto and Glencore are up 4.7% and 4.5%, respectively, while Antofagasta is gaining 3.4%.

Standard Chartered, Fresnillo, Endeavour Mining, Ashtead Group, Spirax Group, AstraZeneca, Weir Group, ...