FTSE hits a fresh record:  the FTSE 100 Index ended February at a record high, closing over 10,900 points for the first time ever. Performance was driven by stocks in the defence and mining sectors, which were boosted by escalating tensions in the Middle East, and by the UK’s relatively low exposure to companies in the technology sector. Meanwhile, an agreed bid for asset manager and FTSE 100 constituent Schroders from US investment group Nuveen propelled Schroders’ share pri