London close: UK stocks set a new record high despite growth concerns

London's FTSE 100 surged to a new all-time high on Friday, topping a previous peak reached two weeks ago, despite concerns about a slowdown in UK economic growth.The Footsie finished 74.41 points higher, rising 1.06% to a fresh record of 7,089.77, helped by gains from Shire, Aberdeen, ITV and a host of housing stocks.The index surpassed its previous intraday record high of 7,065.08 reached on 24 March."Equity markets certainly have that Friday feeling and as Greece works on its proposals for its creditors, traders climb aboard the bull-run bandwagon," said IG analyst David Madden. "The weakness in the euro is fuelling the spate of buying in Europe and that feel good factor is overflowing into the UK market."Despite the strong performance on equity markets, currency markets were feeling the effects of political uncertainty, with the possibility of a Labour-SNP coalition weighing on sterling in the run-up to the elections.The pound was down 0.7% against the dollar at 1.4643, nearing its lowest levels since 2010.Also weighing on sterling was poor British economic data, with weak industrial production and construction output data for February missing forecasts, raising concerns about a slowdown in the first quarter.On a positive note, NIESR's estimate for annualised UK gross domestic product growth for the first quarter held steady at 0.6%.Housing stocks charge higherHousebuilders were among the best performers as Jefferies upgraded ratings for stocks across the sector, including Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon, Bellway, Crest Nicholson and Redrow. Jefferies said it has turned more positive on the sector after recent data "point[ed] to a stronger pre-election housing market than we had anticipated".UK pharma group Shire surged after the US drug regulator said it will fast-track the company's application for its 'Lifitegrast' dry-eye disease treatment.Shares in Aberdeen Asset Management were up as traders linked a more bullish outlook for emerging markets being a driver behind the rally for asset managers who have significant exposure in Asian, African and Latin American assets.ITV jumped after Morgan Stanley boosted the stock with its bullish view in a note to clients. "It is a key pick in the media sector," said the bank.UK wine merchant Majestic Wine erased earlier losses as investors reacted to the announcement that it will buy Naked Wines for up to £70m in a reverse takeover. Investec upgraded the stock to 'buy' following the deal, saying it will open up the retailer's growth potential.Recruiter Hays underwhelmed despite saying it now expects to deliver strong operating profit growth for the full year after a decent third quarter. Annual growth in net fees, however, eased to 5% from 6% in the first half.Shares in Reckitt Benckiser rose after receiving a boost by analysts at UBS who upgraded their rating on the stock to 'buy' from 'hold'. The bank said Reckitt is "one of the two core holdings in the European household and personal care space."Market MoverstechMARK 3,274.03 +1.21%FTSE 100 7,089.77 +1.06%FTSE 250 17,875.11 +0.90%FTSE 100 - RisersShire Plc (SHP) 5,680.00p +4.80%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 507.50p +4.64%ITV (ITV) 270.60p +3.56%Barratt Developments (BDEV) 558.00p +3.14%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 166.10p +3.04%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,880.00p +2.82%Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 3,282.00p +2.66%Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 975.00p +2.63%International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 617.00p +2.58%3i Group (III) 509.50p +2.56%FTSE 100 - FallersKingfisher (KGF) 364.00p -0.84%CRH (CRH) 1,797.00p -0.66%Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,837.00p -0.54%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 79.30p -0.48%Barclays (BARC) 257.05p -0.35%AstraZeneca (AZN) 4,753.00p -0.24%Anglo American (AAL) 1,022.00p -0.20%Royal Mail (RMG) 450.00p -0.09%FTSE 250 - RisersCountrywide (CWD) 550.00p +5.67%Soco International (SIA) 182.80p +5.66%Indivior (INDV) 211.30p +5.39%Lonmin (LMI) 130.00p +4.50%Allied Minds (ALM) 725.00p +4.32%Ocado Group (OCDO) 375.00p +3.85%Tullow Oil (TLW) 331.10p +3.83%Zoopla Property Group (WI) (ZPLA) 205.50p +3.79%Evraz (EVR) 207.10p +3.55%Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 454.00p +3.44%FTSE 250 - FallersJust Retirement Group (JRG) 168.00p -4.49%Poundland Group (PLND) 330.00p -4.24%Vedanta Resources (VED) 518.00p -3.90%Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 602.00p -2.51%esure Group (ESUR) 214.00p -2.28%Telecom Plus (TEP) 919.50p -1.87%AA (AA.) 388.90p -1.57%Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 372.00p -1.48%Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 317.80p -1.46%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 58.80p -1.18%