- Shoppers defy the gloom with retail sales rising 1.7% in January but still show signs of frugality.
- Food stores sales volumes rose by 5.6% on the month, the largest rise since March 2020.
- Non-food stores including department, clothing, household and other non-food stores fell 1.3% over the month.
- GfK’s monthly consumer confidence index edged up in February, as consumers took heart from the interest rate cut.
- Government borrowing snapshot for January highlights that the UK...
FTSE 100
Market report: Footsie falls and gold shines as inflationary risks rise
- FTSE 100 drops back in early trade amid a disappointing week.
- S&P 500 breaks fresh ground but some wariness set to creep in.
- Gold shines at fresh record levels at $2954 an ounce, amid inflationary and geopolitical risks.
- UK government focusing on building an investment culture amid ongoing London exodus.
- Shares in Lloyds rise despite setting aside £700 million in the motor finance saga.
Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets, Hargreaves Lansdown.
‘’The slide continues for...
Market Report: UK inflations rears its ugly head, US markets hit fresh highs
- FTSE 100 opens flat.
- UK inflation jumps, two rate cuts still on the cards for 2025.
- S&P 500, Nasdaq, and gold reach all-time highs.
- HSBC tops estimates on strong wealth management.
- Oil continues to edge higher.
- BAE marches ahead.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“UK markets have opened flat this morning, with the FTSE 100 barely moving at the open, as investors digest the latest set of inflation figures. UK inflation jumped from 2.5% to 3.0% in January,...
Market Report: wage growth in focus for UK investors
- FTSE ticks higher off mixed wage data
- BHP sees lowest profit in six years
- Sovereign GPU demand on the rise
- US dollar rises as rates come back in focus
- Oil extends its gains on supply disruptions
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“UK markets are digesting the latest labour market data, with the FSTE 100 opening 0.15% higher. Yesterday was the defence stocks’ time to shine, with the sector’s heavy hitters soaring on expectations that the UK will ramp up...
https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/02/18/market-report-wage-growth-in-focus-for-uk-investors/
Market Report: UK stocks in search of momentum, gold and oil find their footing
- FTSE 100 looking for a fresh catalyst.
- GSK gets FDA vaccine approval.
- UK asking prices rose 0.5% in February.
- Gold’s back on the menu for investors.
- Oil finds a floor after 3 days of losses.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“The struggle to maintain momentum last week looks set to bleed into early trading on Monday, with the FTSE 100 broadly flat at the open. Investors are keeping a close eye on US-led peace talks for the Ukraine war, especially since EU and Ukrainian...
Market report: Trade uncertainty, TikTok reprieve and Chinese tech hopes
- FTSE 100 opens lower amid uncertainty over the latest tariff threats.
- Pound gains ground against the dollar, putting some pressure on listed multinationals.
- Chinese e-commerce giants ground as TikTok gets fresh reprieve and tech talks are in focus.
- Wall Street traders calm amid tariff threats with MGM Resorts results buoying sentiment.
- End of an era for NatWest in sight with UK government looking set to sell off remaining stake this year.
Susannah Streeter, head of money and...
Market report: FTSE pulls back from record high despite rosier GDP picture
- UK GDP grows 0.4% month-on-month
- FTSE down slightly after record close
- Dax also tests record highs
- Wall Street pulls back after stubborn inflation print
- Palo Alto, Applied Materials, Deere in focus today
- Brent crude weakens on Trump’s push for peace in Ukraine
- BATS outlook disappoints as noose tightens on cigarettes
- Nestle cooks up a solid set of results
- Barclays sets positive tone for UK bank earnings
Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“UK GDP for...
Market Report: calm has been restored to global markets…for now
- FTSE 100 flat at the open after posting new record yesterday.
- Barratt offers an upbeat outlook.
- Heineken raises a glass.
- US inflation data in focus.
- Oil dips after 3-day streak.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“There’s an overarching sense of calm in the air, perhaps a little unnerving given the storm of political drama we’ve become accustomed too since Tump took office. The FTSE 100 opened flat this morning, and after posting another record high...
Market Report: Global investors try their hardest to look past the latest US tariff news
- FTSE 100 opens at new all-time high
- Entain’s CEO drama
- Tui’s strong quarter slightly dampened by softening demand
- UK retail sales top forecasts in January
- US futures dip as Trump signs in new tariffs
- OpenAI in the headlines
- Oil prices rise on supply concerns
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“UK markets are shrugging off Trump’s latest tariff storm, with the FTSE 100 rising at the open, extending gains from yesterday to reach another all-time high. But the...
Market report: FTSE loses the high ground after growth outlook is slashed
- FTSE 100 slips around 20 points at the open
- US non-farm payrolls today, expected addition of 169,000 jobs
- Amazon guides for $100bn capex in AI spree
- Legal & General pivots towards US Bulk Annuities
- Brent crude back below $75 per barrel
Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown:
“The widely-expected UK rate cut hasn’t been enough to help propel the FTSE 100 beyond yesterday’s record close, as investors take on board the Bank of England’s hammer blow to its forecast for UK...