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☆ Analysis: Investors call 'peak pessimism' for beaten-up UK stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Naomi Rovnick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"It feels like we've passed the peak of pessimism about the UK," said Daniel Lockyer, senior fund manager at 7 billion-pound investment and advice group Hawksmoor Investment Management, which increased its exposure to UK companies in August. Consumer stocks are outperforming as investors bet on the UK cost of living crisis becoming less intense. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsLeigh Himsworth, UK fund manager at Fidelity International, said he was "trying to pick off UK retailers we can buy", while it was also "time to pick up some of the (UK) real estate sector." But while noting good economic reasons to call an upturn for UK stocks, fund managers also stressed the need for further steps from policymakers to revive interest in British equities. Premier Miton is lobbying policymakers to introduce a new tax-efficient investment vehicle for UK stocks.

Persons: Toby Melville, we've, Daniel Lockyer, Morningstar, Martin Walker, Walker, Samuel Tombs, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics Leigh Himsworth, Spencer, Neil Birrell, Premier Miton, Miton, Savvas Savouri, Naomi Rovnick, Dhara Ranasinghe, Sharon Singleton Organizations: London Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Inflation, LONDON, Apple, FTSE, Investment Management, Global, Reuters, Bank of England, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics, Fidelity International, Premier, Fidelity, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, U.S, COVID, outflows

☆ Miners boost FTSE 100 on China optimism; Vistry jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage for the London Stock Exchange Group is seen outside of offices in Canary Wharf in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 up 0.6%, FTSE 250 adds 0.4%Sept 11 (Reuters) - The UK's exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index opened higher on Monday boosted by miners after positive China data signalled stability in the world's second-largest economy, while Vistry shares jumped after the homebuilder kept its annual profit outlook. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) rose 0.6% in early trade, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) was up 0.4%. Vistry Group (VTYV.L) jumped 14.4% after the British homebuilder said it would merge its affordable-housing business 'Partnerships' with its Housebuilding operations, while maintaining its annual profit forecast. Reporting by Siddarth S in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toby Melville, British homebuilder, Pascal Soriot, Siddarth, Rashmi Organizations: London Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Vistry, AstraZeneca, The Mail, Barclays, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, China, British, Bengaluru

☆ FTSE 100 falls on worries about U.S. rates; Melrose jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage for the London Stock Exchange Group is seen outside of offices in Canary Wharf in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.4%, FTSE 250 off 0.3%Sept 7 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 opened lower on Thursday after stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data rekindled concerns that interest rates would stay higher for longer, while aerospace supplier Melrose Industries rose on an upbeat profit outlook. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) fell 0.4% in early trade, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) slipped 0.3%. Wall Street's main indexes tumbled on Wednesday after data showed the U.S. services sector unexpectedly gained steam in August, indicating sticky price pressures. GLOB/MKTSFurther weighing on the exporter-heavy FTSE 100, data showed China's exports and imports fell in August as the twin pressures of sagging overseas demand and weak consumer spending squeezed businesses in the world's second-largest economy.

Persons: Toby Melville, Smith, Siddarth, Subhranshu Sahu Organizations: London Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Melrose Industries, Prudential, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ FTSE 100 dragged down by global gloom, Barratt warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage for the London Stock Exchange Group is seen outside of offices in Canary Wharf in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.5%, FTSE 250 falls 0.4%Sept 6 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 slipped on Wednesday as recent soft economic data from China and Europe continued to weigh on global sentiment, while shares of Barratt Developments fell after the homebuilder warned of a tough housing market environment. The exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) dropped 0.5% in early trade, while the domestically focussed FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) declined 0.4%. Global markets also extended losses for a second day as faltering growth in China and Europe heightened concerns about global economic momentum. GLOB/MKTSEmerging markets-focused fund manager Ashmore's shares (ASHM.L) fell 4.3% after it reported a 6% drop in annual profit.

Persons: Toby Melville, Barratt, Ashmore's, WH Smith, Siddarth, Sohini Goswami Organizations: London Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Barratt, Global, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, China, Europe, Bengaluru

☆ FTSE 100 falls at open on BAE drag, hawkish Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage for the London Stock Exchange Group is seen outside of offices in Canary Wharf in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.4%, FTSE 250 off 0.3%Aug 17 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 fell at open on Thursday driven by declines in defence stocks after BAE Systems slipped, while global sentiment turned cautious after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's July meeting were perceived to be hawkish. The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) was down 0.4% by 0711 GMT, while more domestically focussed FTSE 250 (.FTMC) dropped 0.3%. Shares of BAE Systems (BAES.L) fell 3% after the British defence group said it agreed to buy Ball Corp's (BALL.N) aerospace business for about $5.55 billion in cash. Precious metal miners (.FTNMX551030) fell 0.9% as gold prices touched five-month lows on a stronger dollar and rise in bond yields.

Persons: Toby Melville, Siddarth, Nivedita Organizations: London Stock Exchange, REUTERS, BAE Systems, U.S, U.S . Federal, Bank of Georgia, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, U.S ., Bengaluru

☆ FTSE 100 drops as inflation remains sticky
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 off 0.2%Aug 16 (Reuters) - The FTSE 100 index continued its sell-off on Wednesday after data showed that underlying inflation remained high, building a case for more interest rate hikes by the Bank of England (BoE), while Marshalls fell on lower half-year profit. The exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) fell 0.2% by 0704 GMT, languishing at over one-month lows as the sterling rose 0.14% to $1.2718, right after the data. Annual consumer price inflation cooled to 6.8% in July from June's 7.9%, as the BoE and a Reuters poll of economists had predicted. However, core inflation came in at a hotter-than-expected 6.9% in July, while service rose to 7.4% from 7.2% in June.

Persons: Toby Melville, BoE, Siddarth, Nivedita Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, Bank of England, Marshalls, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, June's, Beijing, Bengaluru

☆ UK stocks tumble as record wage growth spurs rate hike worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Siddarth S | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A man shelters under an umbrella as he walks past the London Stock Exchange in London, Britain, August 24, 2015. "Speed of wage growth will support the more hawkish end of the Bank of England. The exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) declined 1.2% by the first hour of trading, while mid-cap stocks (.FTMC) also fell 0.7%. Life Insurance stocks (.FTNMX303010) fell over 2%, leading sectoral losses, dragged down by an over 3% drop in shares of British insurer Legal & General (LGEN.L). Most sectoral indexes were in the red after the wage growth data, while mid-cap stocks (.FTMC) also fell 0.7%.

Persons: Suzanne Plunkett, BoE, Richard Flax, Spencer, Siddarth, Rashmi Aich, Maju Samuel Organizations: London Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Legal, Bank of England, Money, Life Insurance, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ London's FTSE 100 pressured by pound after surprise Q2 GDP growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoSummary FTSE 100 down 0.6%, FTSE 250 off 0.2%Aug 11 (Reuters) - London's exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index opened lower on Friday, pressured by a stronger pound after data showed the UK's economy surprisingly grew higher-than-expected in the second quarter. Data showed Britain eked out unexpected growth in the second quarter, helped by a strong June performance. It grew 0.2% in the second quarter, against the consensus for a flat reading in a Reuters poll of economists. The FTSE 100 (.FTSE) fell 0.6%, while the sterling broke three straight days of losses after the data.

Persons: Toby Melville, Stuart Cole, Siddarth, Varun Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, Britain, FTSE, Equiti Capital, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ Britain's Bellway says new home sales to fall 'materially'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - Britain's Bellway (BWY.L) said on Wednesday it would build fewer homes this year and warned that it expects sales completions to drop "materially" amid a sharp housing sector slowdown triggered by higher mortgage rates. Bellway said it built 10,945 homes in the fiscal year ended July 31, slightly down from the guidance of 11,000 units. "In the current financial year, given the level of the order book and prevailing low reservation rates, legal completions are expected to decrease materially," it said in a statement. Bellway, whose builds range from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom family homes, said its full-year overall reservation rate fell 28.4% to 156 per week, and it also saw a steep fall from 190 units during the Feb. 1-June 4 period. Bellway's mid-cap competitors Crest Nicholson (CRST.L) and Vistry (VTYV.L) have said high mortgage rates were hampering demand from first-time buyers.

Persons: Toby Melville, Bellway, Barratt, Aby Jose Koilparambil, Suban Abdulla, Subhranshu Sahu, Paul Sandle, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, FTSE, Berkeley, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Newcastle, England, Bengaluru

☆ FTSE 100 opens lower as Glencore, bleak China data weigh
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 flatAug 8 (Reuters) - London stocks opened lower on Tuesday hurt by the losses in Glencore after the miner's dour first-half earnings, while bleak China trade data also hit the broader mining sector. The FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) dipped 0.2% by 0709 GMT, with Glencore (GLEN.L) falling 3.0% as it said its earnings had halved in the first half. Asset manager abrdn (ABDN.L) slipped 4.5% to the bottom of the FTSE 100 after it reported a drop in its assets under management. The midcap FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) was flat, while bank stocks (.FTNMX301010) shed 0.8%.

Persons: Toby Melville, abrdn, Siddarth, Shreyashi Sanyal, Rashmi Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, London, Glencore, China, Bengaluru

☆ VIEW Bank of England raises rates for a 14th time
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The BoE raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.25% and said high inflation meant it was unlikely to stop raising rates any time soon. However, with Thursday's decision, traders began to price in a lower peak in UK rates. MONEY MARKETS: Interest-rate derivatives showed traders believe UK rates will peak around 5.67% by March, compared with an expected peak of 5.73% in the run-up to the decision. Rising interest rates means higher borrowing costs, which will lead to larger monthly mortgage payments for many homeowners." The Bank of England remains committed to bringing inflation down, unfortunately raising interest rates is one of the only tools the Bank can use to sap demand out of the economy."

Persons: BoE, Sterling, VIVEK PAUL, we’ll, STUART COLE, JEREMY BATSTONE, CARR, RAYMOND JAMES, MARCUS BROOKES, ” SEEMA SHAH, Rishi Sunak, GILES COGHLAN, THOMAS PUGH, JOHN LEIPER, Amanda Cooper, Samuel Indyk Organizations: Bank of England, FTSE, BLACKROCK, LONDON, TOM HOPKINS, Bank of, RSM, Bank, EMEA, Thomson Locations: LONDON, EUROPEAN, U.S

☆ UK's FTSE 100 opens lower ahead of BoE decision; LSEG falls
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.8%, FTSE 250 off 0.3%Aug 3 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 opened lower on Thursday, with shares of London Stock Exchange Group weighing on the index, while investors awaited the Bank of England's verdict on monetary policy tightening later in the day. By 0710 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) fell 0.8%, hovering near a two-week low hit on Wednesday, while the more domestically-focussed FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) lost 0.3%. London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG.L) lost 3.9% after its first-half profit before tax fell 17.6%. Also weighing was BT Group (BT.L), which fell 5.1% as shares of the telecom firm traded ex-dividend.

Persons: Toby Melville, Smith, SN.L, BoE, Shashwat Chauhan, Varun Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, London Stock Exchange, Bank of, BT Group, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ UK's FTSE 100 opens lower after surprise U.S. credit rating cut sours mood
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoSummaryCompanies FTSE 100 down 0.8%, FTSE 250 off 0.6%Aug 2 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 opened lower on Wednesday, as global risk sentiment took a hit after ratings agency Fitch cut the United States' credit rating, while BAE Systems shares jumped after the defence company raised its full-year guidance. By 0709 GMT, the bluechip FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) fell 0.8%, touching a two week low, while the more domestically-focussed FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) lost 0.6%. BAE Systems (BAES.L) added 4.7% after Britain's biggest defence company upgraded its guidance for 2023, forecasting annual earnings per share would grow 10-12%. ConvaTec Group (CTEC.L) jumped 4.0% after the technology firm raised its full-year guidance.

Persons: Toby Melville, Fitch, Shashwat Chauhan, Rashmi Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, BAE Systems, AAA, Smurfit Kappa, ConvaTec, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, United States, London, Bengaluru

☆ Morning Bid: August cools Wall St stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's factory underperformance stood out once again and underlined its struggling recovery - perhaps the main driver of stalling industrial activity everywhere. With markets increasingly impatient at the patchy and underwhelming economic stimulus plans seen from Beijing so far, China stocks fell back (.CSI300), bucking Tuesday's wider Asia stocks rally. Sterling and UK stocks (.FTMC) fell back. Ride-hailing giant Uber's stock rose more than 2% before the bell and ahead of its earnings report. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Dolan, underperformance, Austan Goolsbee, Goolbee, Stanley Black, Decker, Zimmer Biomet, Revvity, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S ., Chicago Fed, Bank of England, Sterling, AMD, Caterpillar, Big Pharma, Pfizer, Merck, Ride, HSBC, BP, Uber, Prudential Financial, AIG, Starbucks, Molson Coors, Boston Properties, Caesars Entertainment, Illinois Tool, Natural Resources, Energy, Devon Energy, Gartner, Allstate, Paycom Software, Electronic, WEC, Rockwell, Public Service Enterprise, P Global, Dallas Fed, Chicago Federal, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Wall, Beijing, China, Asia, ., Marathon, Eaton, Altria, Marriott, Illinois, Progressive

July 27 (Reuters) - British asset manager Schroders (SDR.L) reported a drop in first-half assets under management on Thursday, due to weaker investor sentiment and market volatility. Schroders' assets under management fell to 726.1 billion pounds ($940 billion) in the six months to June 30, from 737.5 billion pounds at December-end. The company generated 5.7 billion pounds in net new business, excluding joint ventures and associates. In contrast, Jupiter Fund Management (JUP.L) jumped 14% to the top of the FTSE mid-cap (.FTMC) after it reported assets under management rose 2% to 51.4 billion pounds. The fund manager saw "small" net inflows of 23 million pounds, helped by institutional client demand.

Persons: Schroders, Calastone, Peter Harrison, Jefferies, James's, Peel Hunt, Eva Mathews, Savio D'Souza, Sinead Cruise, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, Bank of England, JPMorgan, Jupiter Fund, Peel, Thomson Locations: British, Bengaluru

☆ UK's FTSE 100 slips on dour earnings; NatWest falls
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Shashwat Chauhan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) lost 0.2%, while the more domestically focussed FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) was flat. UK earnings season picked up pace with Lloyds Banking Group(LLOY.L), Britain's biggest mortgage lender, posting a pre-tax first-half profit below analysts' forecast compiled by the bank. The lender fell 2.7%, while the UK banks index (.FTNMX301010) slipped 0.9%. Rolls-Royce (RR.L) soared 19.3%, to hit its highest level in over three years after the aero-engineering company raised its full-year operating profit forecast. Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; editing by Eileen Soreng and Sohini GoswamiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Royce, Aston Martin, Alison Rose, Nigel Farage, Georgina Cooper, Aston, Shashwat Chauhan, Eileen Soreng, Sohini Organizations: HY, U.S, Fed, Lloyds, NatWest, NatWest Group, BBC, Lloyds Banking Group, BNY, Equity, Rio Tinto, Royce, Dunhill, Tobacco, Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings, U.S . Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Rio Tinto, London, Rio, Bengaluru

☆ Vistry flags tough housing market, reiterates profit forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 20 (Reuters) - British homebuilder Vistry Group (VTYV.L) on Thursday joined its bigger rivals in flagging an intensifying slowdown in the housing market but retained its annual profit forecast, reflecting resilience in its key affordable homes business. The FTSE 250 (.FTMC) firm, which works with local authorities and housing associations to build affordable homes, expects adjusted pre-tax profit for the year ending Dec. 31 to be in excess of 450 million pounds. Vistry, which is typically better insulated against housing market shocks as demand for affordable housing is high, said it was able to mitigate the slowdown in the market through bulk transactions in both its Partnerships and Housebuilding businesses. However, the group said its Housebuilding business, which is similar to its rivals' operations, had faced "more challenging market conditions" in the half-year period with the broader macro-economic challenges particularly impacting first-time buyers. Reporting by Suban Abdulla in London and Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema and Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Greg Fitzgerald, Suban Abdulla, Aby Jose Koilparambil, Sonia Cheema, Kate Holton Organizations: Vistry, Thursday, FTSE, Bank of England, British, Countryside, Thomson Locations: British, London, Bengaluru

☆ Wall Street on ice ahead of big tech earnings, UK shines
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Naomi Rovnick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tech stocks have been boosted by exuberance about artificial intelligence as well as hopes the Federal Reserve will soon end the aggressive interest rate rises that bludgeoned valuations of more speculative businesses in 2022. Owning big tech is also the "most crowded" trade in global markets, Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett warned in a note to clients this week. This was just the latest downside surprise on prices for a major economy after more than 18 months of central banks cranking interest rates higher. Sterling lost 0.96% to trade at $1.291 as market bets that the Bank of England would raise interest rates as high as 6%, from the current 5%, faded out. London's blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) added 1.6% and the domestically focused FTSE 250 (.FTMC) rose 3.2%, on track for its best daily performance since February 2.

Persons: Sterling, Michael Hartnett, Hartnett, BofA, Stuart Kaiser, Eren Osman, Arbuthnot Latham, BoE, Samuel Tombs, Kenneth Broux, Germany's, Tom Westbrook, Bernadette Baum, Kim Coghill, Chizu Organizations: Stock, Wall, Tesla, Netflix, Nasdaq, Tech, Reserve, Bank of America, Citi, Bank of England, Macroeconomics, Sterling, . Federal, Societe Generale, Thomson Locations: London, Sydney

Headline British consumer price inflation fell to 7.9% year-on-year in June, against expectations for 8.2%, in the latest downside surprise for a major economy after more than 18 months of central banks cranking interest rates higher. The BoE now had "the green light" for a 25 basis point (bps) rate rise next month, Pantheon Macroeconomics chief UK economist Samuel Tombs said, after markets had previously priced a further 50 bps hike. "Profit taking in sterling should not be a surprise," added Kenneth Broux, head of FX and rates corporate research at Societe Generale in London. The 10-year yield, a benchmark for debt costs in the Euro-zone, fell 5 bps to 2.35% . Futures trading indicated Wall Street's S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 share indices would open steady later in the day.

Persons: Sterling, BoE, Samuel Tombs, Kenneth Broux, Germany's, Klaas, Chris Weston, Sam Holmes, Bernadette Baum Organizations: LONDON, Headline, Sterling, . Federal, Bank of England, Macroeconomics, Societe Generale, European Central Bank, ECB, Pepperstone, Nasdaq, Bank of, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, London ., disinflation, Europe, Melbourne

☆ Cooler inflation unleashes monster rally in UK markets, dents pound
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

British annual consumer price inflation fell to a lower than expected 7.9% in June, below a forecast for a decline to 8.2%. June's rate was a long way off last October's 41-year high of 11.1%, but far above the BoE's 2% target rate. "Some good news on UK inflation at last, coming in below expectations for June and most importantly the core inflation rate fell more than thought," Neil Birrell, who is chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors, said. British finance minister Jeremy Hunt said there was still a long way to go to reduce inflation towards target. Meanwhile, interest-rate derivatives showed traders no longer believe UK rates will have to rise above 6% to temper inflation.

Persons: Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, Neil Birrell, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, Jeremy Batstone, Carr, Raymond James, Danilo Masoni, Alun John, Dhara Ranasinghe, Andrew Organizations: Reuters, Premier Miton Investors, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: United States, European, Milan

☆ Morning Bid: Bond yields recoil on disinflation buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike DolanA volte face in Treasury yields has improved investors' mood considerably this week as excitement about U.S. disinflation builds despite conflicting signals from around the world. After bumpy start to the third quarter, stocks and bonds rallied together on Monday - with both two- and 10-year Treasury yields recoiling sharply back below 5% and 4% thresholds respectively. Spurred by more signs of ebbing U.S. inflation ahead of Wednesday's critical June consumer price report, Wall Street stocks also recovered ground on Monday. A New York Fed survey showed on Monday that household inflation expectations for the year ahead fell to 3.8% last month, the lowest in more than two years. But if the U.S. inflation picture is looking more optimistic, it's much harder to read around the world.

Persons: Mike Dolan, Russell, Michael Barr, John Williams, Joe Biden, Jane Merriman Organizations: Wall, Federal, Japan's, New York Fed, Fed, Bank of England, Treasuries, York Federal, NATO, Treasury, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson, Reuters Locations: U.S, ., China, Britain, Hong Kong, Vilnius

☆ UK's FTSE 100 flat as energy gains offset mining losses; real estate stocks tumble
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SummaryCompanies FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 off 0.4%July 10 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 was subdued on Monday, as gains in energy firms outpaced losses in mining stocks, after weak Chinese economic data rekindled slowing demand concerns, while real estate stocks slumped on a bearish call from HSBC. By 0718 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) was flat, while the more domestically-focussed FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) fell 0.4%. Industrial metal miners (.FTNMX551020) lost 0.8%, tracking a fall in most base metal prices. A bearish note from HSBC on UK real estate weighed on the sector, pushing down the real estate investment trusts (REITs) (.FTNMX351020) 1.2% and real estate (.FTUB3510) 1.1%. Heavyweight energy stocks (.FTNMX601010) added 0.8%.

Persons: Shashwat Chauhan, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: HSBC, Prudential, Thomson Locations: China, Bengaluru

☆ London stocks decline at open as rate hike fears persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

By 0712 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) lost 0.6%, while the more domestically-focussed FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) fell 0.3%. Coca Cola HBC AG (CCH.L) jumped 3.6% after the bottler raised its 2023 profit expectation. The pharmaceuticals and biotech (.FTNMX201030) and utilities (.FTUB6510) sectors were amongst the top losers, down 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively. A key reading of U.S. jobs data due later in the day will be eyed to gauge the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening plans after the central bank kept rates steady in its previous decision. Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; editing by Eileen SorengOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jefferies, Shashwat Chauhan, Eileen Soreng Organizations: Federal Reserve, Coca Cola HBC, Coca Cola HBC AG, Federal, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ UK FTSE 100 at three-month low as rate hike worries grip; Currys slumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Shashwat Chauhan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) fell 1.2%, hitting its lowest level since March 24. Currys (CURY.L) tumbled 13.3% to its lowest level in more than 20 years after the electricals retailer reported a 38% slump in full-year profit. The commodity-heavy UK benchmark has been underperforming its peers this year amid volatility in resource prices over an uncertain global outlook. Among individual stocks, United Utilities (UU.L) climbed 1.8% after Morgan Stanley raised the water utility firm's rating to "overweight" from "equal-weight." Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: tanked, Chris Beauchamp, Beauchamp, Morgan Stanley, Shashwat Chauhan, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: United Utilities, P, FTSE, U.S, U.S . Federal, IG Group, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Prudential, CAB, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, U.S ., Bengaluru

☆ UK's FTSE 100 edges higher on mining boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 up 0.2%, FTSE 250 adds 0.3%July 3 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 gained on Monday led by mining stocks on higher metal prices, while shares of other Chinese-exposed firms gained on rising hopes of more policy support in the world's second-largest economy. By 0715 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) gained 0.2%, while the more domestically-focussed FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) rose 0.3%. Industrial metal miners (.FTNMX551020) advanced 1.3% as prices of base metals rose, buoyed by improved sentiment. China-exposed banks HSBC (HSBA.L) and Standard Chartered (STAN.L) rose 0.5% and 1.2%, respectively, while insurer Prudential (PRU.L) added 0.9% as hopes of more policy support grew after another weak data point and commentary from Chinese officials. Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Drugmaker, Shashwat Chauhan, Rashmi Organizations: HSBC, Standard Chartered, Prudential, Drugmaker AstraZeneca, Thomson Locations: China, Bengaluru

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