Market Snapshot
European markets posted moderate gains amid light volumes on Monday morning as traditional year-end investor optimism was supported by higher commodity prices. Still, military tensions between North and South Korea and continued worries over peripheral Europe’s debt weighed.
Shortly after midday, the FTSE 100 index had gained 0.5% or 31 points and stood at 5,902. The FTSE 250 index was up 0.1% or 12 points to 11,438.
Early Monday morning, South Korea went ahead with a much-disputed firing drill from the island of Yeonpyeong, where an attack from North Korea in November resulted in the death of four people. Seoul disregarded international advice on handling the conflict diplomatically after the UN Security Council failed to issue a resolution on the subject. Bourses in the Far East closed lower Monday; the Hang Seng shed 0.3%, the Shanghai Composite dipped 1.4% and the Nikkei 225 was down 0.9%.
In Europe, cold weather and holiday cheer pushed miners and energy companies higher, yet last week’s summit in Brussels where EU leaders resolved to set up a permanent lending facility failed to markedly boost financials.
Elsewhere in the eurozone, the balance of payments issued by the ECB showed the current account deficit widened in October but narrowed substantially on an annual basis to EUR 49.3 billion from EUR 77.4 billion for the same period last year. Investors will watch the EU Consumer Confidence index, which is due later today, for more insights into the region’s recovery.
In the UK, the Bank of England’s latest Trends in Lending survey showed the number of mortgage approvals improving slightly to 45,000 in November from 44,000 in October, and an increase in net mortgage lending. The figures, however, remain below their historic levels.
US futures currently point to a stronger start on Wall Street ahead of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for October due this afternoon.
Market Risers
Petrofac (PFC), Essar Energy (ESSR), Tullow Oil (TLW), up 0.8%-2.4%: Energy companies gain on strong demand due to the cold weather and higher commodity prices.
Cobham (COB), up 2.1%: Company announced a multi-million pound agreement to supply equipment for South Korean’s Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) .
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), up 2.1%: Media reports that RBS has approached UK financial authorities for permission to award cash bonuses to employees.
National Grid (NG.), up 1.9%: Company reassured customers there will be sufficient gas to meet the current all-time-high demand; utility providers in demand amid cold weather in the UK.
Market Fallers
Next (NXT), Marks & Spencer Group (MKS), down 1.2%-1.3%: Retailers hit by bad weather in the UK over what is traditionally one of the busiest pre-Christmas shopping weekends.
British Airways (BAY), down 1.2%: Cancelled flights and Heathrow Airport closure due to poor weather condition in the UK take their toll.
Gartmore Group (GRT), down 9.6%: Company confirmed it has received a takeover bid from peer Henderson after Friday’s close. Investors cash in after stock rallied on the takeover rumours during Friday’s trade.