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| Yesterday’s UK 100 Leaders | Price (p) | % Chg |
| Vodafone Group PLC | 73.3 | 4.6% |
| Antofagasta PLC | 1,808.0 | 2.8% |
| BT Group PLC | 156.4 | 2.4% |
| Airtel Africa PLC | 149.9 | 2.0% |
| Rentokil Initial PLC | 326.4 | 2.0% |
| Yesterday’s UK 100 Laggards | Price (p) | % Chg |
| Melrose Industries PLC | 496.2 | -4.2% |
| Hiscox LTD | 1,103.0 | -4.0% |
| Diploma PLC | 3,920.0 | -3.7% |
| Croda International PLC | 3,076.0 | -3.3% |
| Entain PLC | 629.0 | -3.1% |
| Major World Indices | Price | % Chg | 1 YEAR |
| UK 100 INDEX | 8,543 | 0.0% | 10.3% |
| DOW JONES INDUS. AVG | 40,814 | -1.3% | 4.9% |
| DAX INDEX | 22,567 | -0.5% | 25.8% |
| NIKKEI 225 | 37,053 | 0.7% | -4.3% |
| S&P/ASX 200 INDEX | 7,790 | 0.5% | 1.0% |
| Commodities | Units | Price | % Chg |
| WTI Crude Oil (Nymex) | USD/bbl. | 67.24 | 1.04% |
| Brent Crude (ICE) | USD/bbl. | 70.54 | 0.94% |
| Gold Spot | USD/t oz. | 2,987 | -0.1% |
| Copper (Comex) | USd/lb. | 495 | 0.4% |
Click graph to enlarge
The UK 100 called to open +13 points at 8,552. The UK 100 looks set to open modestly higher this morning, this comes despite data out the showing that the UK economy contracted in January after the Office for National Statistics today reported a 0.1% drop in GDP.The figure compared with growth of 0.4% in December and City expectations for modest expansion of 0.1%.
Stocks fell Stateside on Thursday, with equities unable to shake a three-week market rout under the weight of new tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
The S&P dropped 1.39% to settle at 5,521.52. The index ended the day in correction, 10.1% off its record close. The Dow Jones fell 537.36 points, or 1.3%, marking its fourth day of declines and closing at 40,813.57. The Nasdaq shed 1.96% with shares of Tesla and Apple lower.
Asian markets rallied this morning, with China gaining after state-run banks and other financial institutions were ordered to do more to help spur more consumer spending.
Hong Kong’s benchmark jumped 2.5% to 24,038.85, while the Shanghai Composite index surged 1.9% to 3,420.65. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 added 0.9% to 37,120.07, while South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.2% to 2,569.43.
Berkeley today said buyer enquiries are at a consistently good level and that it has seen a modest improvement in sales reservations. It added: “For this improvement to continue and sales rates to return closer to the levels of three years ago, there needs to be greater confidence in the trajectory of interest rate reductions and wider economic stability.” Berkeley is “hugely encouraged” by the change in mindset over planning, but that it remains concerned by the impact of the extent and pace of regulatory changes. Highlighting the new Building Safety Levy, Berkeley said these incremental changes placed significant pressure on the delivery of new homes. Today’s update reaffirmed earnings guidance to deliver at least £975 million of pre-tax profit across 2025 (£525 million) and 2026 (£450 million).
UK
Bodycote (BOY)
Berkeley Group Holdings (BKG)
US
None
UK
Marshalls (MSLH)
US
None
German Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices
UK Gross Domestic Product
UK Industrial Production
UK Manufacturing Production
UK Consumer Inflation Expectations
US Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index
UK 100 companies going ex-dividend on 20th March 2025:
Hikma Pharmaceuticals
Pearson
Beazley
UK 250 companies going ex-dividend on 20th March 2025:
Goodwin
Chemring Group
BlackRock World Mining Trust
Patria Private Equity Trust
HgCapital Trust
Ruffer Investment Company
Law Debenture Corporation
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