Stubborn Inflation Drags Down FTSE 100

RTTNews | 1246 days ago
Stubborn Inflation Drags Down FTSE 100

(RTTNews) - FTSE 100 of the London Stock Exchange dropped close to half a percent as annual inflation persisted in double digits, triggered fears of further monetary tightening by the Bank of England.

Earlier, data showed annual inflation in the U.K falling to 10.1 percent from 10.4 percent in the previous month. Markets were expecting it to fall to 9.8 percent. Core inflation remained stubborn at 6.2 percent against expectations of a fall to 6 percent. Monthly inflation dropped to 0.8 percent in March, from 1.1 percent earlier, whilst markets had expected it to fall to as low as 0.5 percent.

FTSE 100 oscillated between 7,871.63 and 7,893.61 versus the previous day's closing level of 7,909.44.

The benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange is currently trading at 7,882.31, down 0.34 percent on an overnight basis.

In the 100-scrip index, only 30 are trading in the overnight green zone.

Coca Cola HBC, Imperial Brands and British American Tobacco have gained more than 1 percent.

Fresnillo declined more than 4 percent, followed by Antofagasta that shed more than 3 percent.

Ocado Group, Anglo American, British Land Co, Rightmove, BP, Kingfisher and Land Securities Group, all declined more than 2 percent.

Fed fears lifted the Dollar Index 0.28 percent to 102.03, pushing the GBP/USD pair 0.05 percent lower to 1.2418.

Rate hike expectations reflected in yields on U.K.'s ten-year bonds rising 3.8 percent to 3.8875% from the previous close of 3.746%.

read more
Fed Raises Interest Rates For First Time Since July 2023

Fed Raises Interest Rates For First Time Since July 2023

For the first time since July of 2023, the Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that it has decided to raise interest rates. The Fed said it decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 to 4 percent in support of its dual mandate.
RTTNews | 1h 13min ago
Swiss Market Ends On Firm Note

Swiss Market Ends On Firm Note

After a flat start, Swiss stocks edged higher and stayed positive right through the trading session to settle on a firm note on Wednesday. A sharp drop in oil prices and lower bond yields helped lift sentiment. Investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement.
RTTNews | 1h 35min ago
European Stocks Close Broadly Higher As Oil Prices Drop

European Stocks Close Broadly Higher As Oil Prices Drop

European stocks closed broadly higher on Wednesday as weak oil prices and lower bond yields helped lift sentiment. Investors digested the latest batch of regional economic data and looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement, due later in the day.
RTTNews | 1h 51min ago
U.S. Business Inventories Climb Much More Than Expected In July

U.S. Business Inventories Climb Much More Than Expected In July

A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed business inventories in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the month of July. The Commerce Department said business inventories climbed by 0.8 percent in July following a revised 0.1 percent uptick in June. Economists had expected business inventories to rise by 0.3 percent.
RTTNews | 4h 51min ago
U.S. Housing Market Index Pulls Back To One-Year Low In September

U.S. Housing Market Index Pulls Back To One-Year Low In September

Homebuilder sentiment in the U.S. has deteriorated by much more than anticipated in the month of September, according to a report released by the National Association of Home Builders on Wednesday. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo housing market index fell to 32 in September after inching up to 35 in August. Economists had expected the index to edge down to 34.
RTTNews | 5h 0min ago
U.S. Import Prices Rebound More Than Expected In August

U.S. Import Prices Rebound More Than Expected In August

A report released by the Labor Department on Wednesday showed import prices in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the month of August. The Labor Department said import prices climbed by 0.7 percent in August after falling by a revised 0.3 percent in July.
RTTNews | 5h 14min ago
U.S. Retail Sales Jump 1.2% In August, Much More Than Expected

U.S. Retail Sales Jump 1.2% In August, Much More Than Expected

Retail sales in the U.S. shot up by much more than expected in the month of August, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The Commerce Department said retail sales jumped by 1.2 percent in August after falling by a revised 0.5 percent in July. Economists had expected retail sales to increase by 0.7 percent.
RTTNews | 5h 29min ago