Good morning from London where the FTSE 100 up slightly to start the week, bouncing off the 7,200 point floor after a bruising 10 ten days of consecutive losses. This morning’s increase is likely the result of measures announced by the Chinese authorities to boost its economy by cutting benchmark lending rates.
Here in the UK though, Rightmove PLC (LSE:RMV) say this morning that average asking prices for houses fell by 1.9% between July and August, while a 0.1% fall on last year marked the first annual decline since 2019 as inflation and high interest rates take their toll.
Among equities, housebuilder Crest Nicholson PLC (LSE:CRST) showed first-hand how the housing market pinch is affecting builders with a downbeat trading update that has pushed its share price down in early trading.
Airlines are under pressure this morning as well, after some of the UK’s biggest tour operators ganged up with consumer watchdog Which to sign an open letter recommending that the Civil Aviation Authority be given the power to fine airlines who fail to meet their obligations. The move follows a summer of sudden cancellations and delays.
And finally in small caps, Trident Royalties PLC (AIM:TRR, OTCQX:TDTRF) has acquired a stake in the Dandoko Gold Project in western Mali and Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (LSE:HUI, OTCQB:HUIPF) has a new chairman in former mercenary and SAS soldier Simon Mann. That’s all for this morning, have a great day