Melrose Industries was among the FTSE 100’s strongest performers, with shares surging more than 10% after the aerospace group detailed a $100 million claims programme tied to damage at its GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, California. The FTSE 100 edged 0.3% higher, extending its winning run to six sessions, its longest since May. A California district attorney has closed the criminal investigation without charges, and operations are expected to resume next month, with full production previously targeted for Sept. 28. An overheating chemical tank in May halted production and led to the evacuation of about 50,000 nearby residents; the plant had been running at about 50% capacity in July, cutting sales, profit and cash flow by about £6 million a month. Broader market support came from healthcare and mining stocks, while lower oil prices weighed on Shell and BP; sentiment also improved on reports the US could return diplomats to Middle Eastern embassies.