FTSE 100 seen higher as Wall Street recovers, commodities stay weak
The FTSE 100 is seen 20 points, or about 0.4% higher today following a recovery on Wall Street, where the main indexes ended the day on positive territory after a sharp early decline. The markets bounced back after Thursday’s huge selloff triggered by a worse than expected jobless claims update, which showed a rise of 8,000 for the previous week instead of a projected decline. Friday’s non-farm payrolls data from the Labor Department showed a decline, though the US unemployment rate fell from 10% to 9.7% to inspire some optimism and bring the markets back into the black.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day 0.1% higher, also recapturing the 10,000 mark. The broader S&P 500 index rose 0.3%, while the technology heavy NASDAQ composite was up 0.75%.
Asian markets were in bearish mode today as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.1%, China’s Shanghai Composite Index was 0.15% lower, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 declined 1% and South Korea’s KOSPI lost 0.9%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 went against the tide, posting a small gain.
The FTSE 100 lost 1.3% on Friday, dragged down by weak commodities, financials and ICAP’s (LSE: IAP) 19.5% decline after the interdealer broker cut its outlook. Bailed out bank Lloyds (LSE: LLOY) followed with a 5.7% loss, while private equity group 3i (LSE: III) and insurer Aviva (LSE: AV) shed more than 4%. Miners Xstrata (LSE: XTA) and Vedanta Resources (LSE: VED) dropped 5% and 4% respectively.
Just three FTSE 100 constituents gained more than 1%. Caterer Compass Group (LSE: CPG) was the runaway wined with a 5% climb, while defence systems manufacturer BAE Systems (LSE: BA) and commercial property company Liberty International (LSE: LII) were up 1.5% and 1% respectively.
Commodities
Oil prices fell sharply with March Brent Crude retreating to US$70.06/barrel, while US light, sweet crude was down to US$71.55/barrel.
Precious metals held steady with gold holding on to US$1,067/oz, while silver and platinum stood at US$15.14/oz and US$1,481/oz respectively.
Base metals advanced with cooper and nickel reaching US$2.91/lb and US$7.86/oz, while zinc rose to US$0.92/lb.
No economic data is due out today.
Other UK Market Wrap articles
-
18/12/09 The UK banking sector has split into a two tier system – Fat Prophets
-
24/10/08 Shares plunge as Global Recession fears increase
-
10/10/08 Is the FTSE 100 heading for 3280 low of 2003?
Other UK Market Wrap news
-
10/03/10 Morning news wrap: Standard Life, Tullow Oil, Interserve, Guld Keystone Petroleum
-
10/03/10 FTSE 100 seen flat as Dow Jones, S&P 500 and NASDAQ trim gains
-
09/03/10 Liberty International, Standard Chartered, Imperial Tobacco and Hammerson push down FTSE 100
-
09/03/10 Morning news wrap: International Power, Inmarsat, Antofagasta, Liberty International
-
09/03/10 FTSE 100 seen lower after flat finish on Wall Street, Asian stocks climb
-
08/03/10 FTSE 100 adds 0.2% to track Asian gains, Dow Jones and S&P 500 flat in early trade
-
08/03/10 Morning news wrap: BHP Billiton, Shell, Prudential, Petrofac, Intertek
-
08/03/10 FTSE 100 to continue rally as US consumer borrowing climbs
-
07/03/10 FTSE 100 set to extend gains next week after reaching 5,600 ahead of key results, UK and US data
-
07/03/10 Weekend news roundup: Iceland votes against £2.3 bn UK repayment, DP World eyes London listing
Investors interested in UK Market Wrap recently viewed
-
AmerAlia Inc. (OTCBB: .AALA)
-
Andover Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: .AOX)
-
Animas Resources Ltd (TSX-V: .ANI)
-
Augur Resources (ASX: .AUK)
-
Baobab Resources (AIM: BAO)
-
Black Ridge Mining (ASX: .BRD)
-
Blackthorn Resources (ASX: .BTR)
-
EurOmax Resources (TSX-V: .EOX)
-
Eurotin Inc. (TSX-V: .ERT.P)
-
Extorre Gold Mines Limited (TSX: .EXT)
-
Gunson Resources Limited (ASX: GUN)
-
Metallica Minerals Ltd (ASX: .MLM)
-
Mineweb (.: Mineweb)
-
Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines (TSX-V: .MSQ)
-
North River Resources (AIM: NRRP)
-
Platmin (TSX: PPN)
-
Robust Resources Limited (ASX: .ROL)
-
Silver Swan Group (ASX: .SWN)
-
South Boulder Mines (ASX: .STB)
-
Stirling Resources (ASX: .SRE)
-
Strzelecki Metals (ASX: .STZ)
-
Tarsis Resources (TSX-V: .TCC)






