The FTSE 100 inched higher in early trades as investors mulled the share price slide in Nvidia overnight despite more impressive numbers.
London’s blue-chip index was up eight at 8,352 though Nvidia shares fell almost 7% in overnight trading. This was as sales more than doubled over the second quarter to US$30 billion with guidance of US32.5 billion for the third.
Here, Imperial Brands eased lower as the government is said to be considering a wider ban on smoking to include outdoor areas such as pub gardens.
Lloyds and Natwest were also under the spotlight as another government-focused rumour this morning is that the banks could face a substantial tax hit in the Budget.
Finally, car production fell in the UK for the fifth month in a row throughout July with a 14.4% drop on a year earlier said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.