Despite mixed signals from overseas markets overnight and this morning, UK shares are set to open on the front foot.
Spread betting quotes point to the FTSE 100 opening its account at around 6,140 after closing last night at 6,115.
In the US, the Dow Jones industrial average retreated 35 points to 17,706 but the broader-based S&P 500 advanced a couple of points to 2,059 while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was up 14 points at 4,750.
HeadiDespite mixed signals from overseas markets overnight and this morning, UK shares are set to open on the front foot.
Spread betting quotes point to the FTSE 100 opening its account at around 6,140 after closing last night at 6,115.
In the US, the Dow Jones industrial average retreated 35 points to 17,706 but the broader-based S&P 500 advanced a couple of points to 2,059 while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was up 14 points at 4,750.
Heading towards the close in Asia, the Nikkei 225 in Japan was 340 points higher at 16,56 while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng was down 33 at 20,122.
Blue-chip trading statements
easyJet PLC (LON:EZJ): The six months to the end of March is a fallow period for the low-cost airline. Profit before tax on a constant currency basis was £5mln, down from £7mln in the same period last year. Using actual exchange rates, the company fell into the red, as expected, with a loss before tax of £24mln. Revenue edged up to £1,771mln from £1,767mln.
Capita PLC (LON:CPI): To date in 2016, Capita has secured contracts with an aggregate value of £458mln. That's up from £251mln at the end of February. The outsourcing giant said it had made a solid start to 2016. “he combination of increased organic growth across our divisional businesses and the steady conversion of our bid pipeline provides us with greater visibility and confidence of achieving our target organic revenue growth of at least 4% this year, and we are on track to meet consensus expectations for 2016,” the company said.
Headlines
Deal to increase oil prices may be dead in the water: Hopes of a meaningful deal to boost oil prices were evaporating, after Saudi Arabia’s appointment of a new oil minister consolidated the grip of a powerful reformist prince who has said that he does not care about the price of crude.
Housing bubble ‘has burst’ after sellers slash asking prices by average of £25,265: The housing bubble has burst, analysts have said, after sellers started slashing money off their asking prices and accepting offers up to 10% less than the property was listed.
Tata Steel says seven firms in frame to bid for rest of UK operations: Seven firms are weighing up bids for Tata Steel’s entire UK business, the company has revealed, raising hopes of a rescue deal that could save up to 12,000 jobs.