The FTSE 100 index has edged up again by 3 points to close at 5,925. While the day's gain is barely noticeable in the grand scheme of things, this small rise marks the fifth consecutive trading day of small rises and has led the benchmark index to close near its 2012 high that was set in March.
"Markets have long been said to climb a ‘wall of worry’ and we are seeing some of that effect in December so far, as gains continue despite the lack of progress in US budget talks. The caution that we saw earlier this morning has given way to guarded optimism, helped on its way by positive German confidence data," said Chris Beauchamp, a market analyst at IG.
Whitbread Shines, Tullow Slides & HSBC Faces the Music
One company that was supporting the FTSE on Tuesday was Whitbread (WTB). Shares in the restaurant and hotel operator popped up by 2.5% after it released a strong Q3 trading update.
"Total group like-for-like sales increased by +3.3%, driven by a robust performance from Costa Coffee (+7.1%)," stated Shore Capital analysts Karl Burns and Greg Johnson in their latest research report. "Management have reiterate that they are on track to deliver full year results in line with market expectations."
Shares in Tullow Oil (TLW) dropped by 8.5%, making it the biggest loser on the FTSE 100 index, after the company said it will buy Spring Energy Norway for $372 million and sell its North Sea holdings.
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) also grabbed headlines after the bank announced it will pay the largest fine ever to US regulators to settle money laundering allegations. The bank is set to pay a $1.92 billion fine. It had previously set aside $1.5 billion in earlier quarters as it prepared to pay the massive fine.
"Even though this is a big headline number, it's a pretty small percentage of HSBC's earnings and equity base. This is unlikely to be materially detrimental to the company, which would explain why the share price hasn't reacted very much today," said Morningstar banking analyst Erin Davis.