Market Snapshot
UK equities were treading water midday Monday, having slipped on lower-than-expected US employment data released Friday. Investor moves lacked conviction as encouraging comments from the US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that further quantitative easing has not been ruled out were outweighed by worries over peripheral Europe’s debt.
By midday, the FTSE 100 index had gained 0.2% or 12 pints to 5,757 and the FTSE 250 was up 0.4% or 46 points to 11,127. The UK blue-chip index’s main gainers and losers were both fuelled by corporate announcements.
Monday is relatively quiet in terms of economic announcements. The only notable data release is the Eurozone Sentix Investor Confidence, which showed a worse than expected decrease in December, having hit a three-year high in November. Investors will be seeking direction from Ireland’s budget vote tomorrow and the outcomes of a eurozone finance ministers’ meeting starting today.
In the UK, the Office of Budget responsibility is due to give evidence about its autumn economic forecast before the Treasury committee this afternoon.
US futures currently point to a weaker start on Wall Street, with little guidance expected from economic data this week.
Market Risers
The Capita Group (CPI), up 4.0%: Shares receive a confidence boost after CEO Paul Pindar purchased 150,000 shares at 640p each.
Xstrata (XTA), up 3.2%: The Sunday Times reported commodity trader Glencore is planning a £31 billion flotation on the London Stock Exchange. According to the publication, Glencore’s fundraising is aimed at financing takeovers, including that of Xstrata, where Glencore currently has a one-third stake.
Tullow Oil (TLW), Cairn Energy (CNE), up 2.2%-2.3%: Oil companies gain on the back of significant rise in oil prices last week.
Rolls-Royce Group (RR.), up 2.2%: Company won new contracts valued at over $110 million for energy projects in Europe, Africa, India and the Middle East.
Vodafone (VOD), up 1.4%: Company completes purchase of 11.5 million own shares for an average price of 164.8p. On Sunday, the Observer newspaper reported the company is planning to sell its 44% stake in French mobile phone group SFR for £7 billion, without citing sources however.
Re la Rue (DLAR), up 18.5%: Company confirmed Monday that it received a preliminary takeover approach from an undisclosed company, which improved confidence in the firm’s financial stability after recent production issues.
Market Fallers
Randgold Resources (RRS), down 3.0%%: Post election developments in Cote d'Ivoire raise worries about Randgold’s Tongon mine, although the company said its assets are currently unaffected by the political situation. Cote d'Ivoire held presidential elections last week, and the country’s opposition is contesting the legitimacy of the officially reported results.
Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), down 2.0%: The Sunday Times reported that London-based First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has sued rival ENRC for $2 billion over a disputed purchase of a copper mine.
Cobham (COB), down 1.2%: Markets react negatively to company announcement that it is to acquire the share capital of the privately-owned RVision, for $28 million.
Tesco (TSCO), down 1.1%: Hit by a broker downgrade ahead of interim management statement due tomorrow.