(Alliance News) - The FTSE 100 is called to open flat on Wednesday, after a hotter than expected UK inflation reading.
UK consumer price inflation accelerated at a faster pace than expected last month, spurred on by electricity and gas prices.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the rate of annual consumer price inflation picked up to 2.3% in October, back above the Bank of England's target, from 1.7% in September.
The latest reading topped the FXStreet cited consensus of 2.2%.
"However, the data presents a nuanced picture. Housing costs are over triple the current rate of inflation - rental prices and owner-occupied housing costs both increased by 7.4%. These high housing costs, combined with rising energy bills, could squeeze household budgets. However, a silver lining is that food prices –which are key to how consumers experience inflation on a daily basis – have continued to hold, after a long period of particularly high price increases. This may encourage consumers to lean into the holiday gift giving season," McKinsey & Co analyst Jessica Moulton commented.
Stateside, focus remains on incoming US president Donald Trump and the assembly of his cabinet. He chose co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment Linda McMahon to become the next US secretary of education.
He also picked Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of his transition team, as his commerce secretary on Tuesday – a choice set to bring a tougher stance on China from the incoming administration.
"All eyes are on President-elect Donald Trump as traders eagerly anticipate his crucial cabinet picks for Treasury Secretary and Trade Representative. These decisions could serve as pivotal signals for the dollar’s near-term trajectory, particularly as upcoming macroeconomic data remain clouded by the hurricane effect and strike distortions," SPI Asset Management analyst Stephen Innes commented.
On the corporate front, Nvidia's earnings are the main event after the closing bell in New York.
Here is what you need to know at the London market open:
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MARKETS
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FTSE 100: called down just 2.7 points at 8,096.32
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Hang Seng: up 0.2% at 19,703.66
Nikkei 225: down 0.2% at 38,352.34
S&P/ASX 200: down 0.6% at 8,326.30
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DJIA: closed down 120.66 points, 0.3%, at 43,268.94
S&P 500: closed up 0.4% at 5,916.98
Nasdaq Composite: closed up 1.0% at 18,987.47
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EUR: lower at USD1.0584 (USD1.0590)
GBP: higher at USD1.2708 (USD1.2676)
USD: higher at JPY155.63 (JPY154.21)
GOLD: lower at USD2,624.67 per ounce (USD2,628.26)
(Brent): higher at USD73.20 a barrel (USD72.93)
(changes since previous London equities close)
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ECONOMICS
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Wednesday's key economic events still to come:
10:00 GMT eurozone construction output
13:00 GMT eurozone European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde speaks
18:00 GMT eurozone European Central Bank Vice-President Luis de Guindos speaks
16:00 GMT UK Bank of England Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden speaks
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The ONS said the largest contributor to the chunkier UK inflation rate stemmed from "housing and household services, mainly because of electricity and gas prices". Consumer prices rose 0.6% in October from September, beating expectations of a 0.5% rise. In September, prices were flat from August. Excluding food and energy, the annual core inflation rate accelerated slightly to 3.3% last month from 3.2% in September. The services inflation rate, one closely-watched by BoE policymakers, edged up to 5.0% in October from 4.9% in September. UK producer prices fell 2.3% in October, the decline picking up speed from 1.9% in September, the ONS said. A fall of 2.5% was expected, however, according to FXStreet. On-month, producer prices rose 0.1% in October, after a decline of 0.5% in September from August. The October monthly reading fell short of expectations, however, as growth of 0.6% was forecast.
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Russia's "irresponsible rhetoric" on nuclear weapons will not deter UK support for Ukraine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said. Vladimir Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear weapons on the 1,000th day of the Ukraine war, a day after the US gave the war-torn nation permission to use its long-range weaponry to fire into Russia. Speaking at the G20 summit in Brazil, the prime minister also noted Putin's absence and described him as the "author of his own exile" from the gathering. Asked at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro whether Britons should prepare for nuclear war, the prime minister said: "This is irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia and that is not going to deter our support for Ukraine. "We're now on day 1,000 of a conflict, that's 1,000 days of Russian aggression, 1,000 days of sacrifices in Ukraine. "We have stood with Ukraine from the start. I've been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin." He declined to say whether he was disappointed that the G20 joint communique watered down support for Ukraine.
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Fianna Fail would be open to negotiating with a number of centre ground parties post-election, Micheal Martin insisted as he pushed back on suggestions he was eyeing Labour as potential Ireland coalition partners. Canvassing in Co Cavan on Tuesday, the tanaiste also accused Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats of "insulting" the electorate by not publishing their manifesto prior to the first televised leaders' debate on Monday. Both parties unveiled their manifestos on Tuesday morning. Martin was asked whether his party and Fine Gael was looking to Labour, instead of the Greens, as a potential junior partner in a future coalition. "I think fundamentally each party has to maximise its own vote," he told reporters on a visit to a farmers' mart in Ballyjamesduff. "Fianna Fail has to maximise its vote, get as many TDs as we possibly can. Get elected. It's a very fragmented situation.
"We will work with parties that support the core principles of Fianna Fail, which is to protect the pro-enterprise economy that we have, and that has worked well for the country in terms of creating resources; invest in public services; be positively pro-EU; and have basic democratic principles.
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BROKER RATING CHANGES
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HSBC cuts easyJet to 'hold' - price target 530 pence
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UBS raises AstraZeneca to 'neutral' (sell) - price target 11,300 pence
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COMPANIES - FTSE 100
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Sage Group announced a GBP400 million share buyback and said it has entered its new financial year with "good momentum". The Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England-based accounting software firm said pretax profit in the year to September 30 improved 51% to GBP426 million from GBP282 million. Revenue was 6.8% at GBP2.33 billion from GBP2.18 billion. Underlying revenue growth was 9%, though Sage noted a 2 percentage point hit from a foreign exchange headwind due to sterling strength. "Sage has delivered another successful year, achieving strong, broad-based revenue growth together with significantly higher profits and cash flows. We also invested further in our products and continued to execute well against our strategic priorities," Chief Executive Officer Steve Hare said. "Small and mid-sized businesses remain resilient, despite the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, and they continue to choose Sage to help them become more productive and efficient. Building on our progress to date, we look forward to delivering further sustainable growth in the year ahead." Sage announced a final dividend of 13.50 pence per share, an increase of 5.9% from 12.75p a year prior. It took its total dividend to 20.45p, up 6.0%, from 19.30p. In addition, Sage announced a buyback of up to GBP400 million. The programme kicks off Wednesday and will end by June 3. Looking ahead, Sage said: "Sage enters FY25 with good momentum driven by consistent strategic execution. Looking ahead, we expect organic total revenue growth in FY25 to be 9% or above. Operating margins are expected to trend upwards in FY25 and beyond, as we focus on efficiently scaling the group."
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Water utility Severn Trent reported a rise in half-year earnings and is forecasting a record year of capital investment, with eyes now on the final announcement of a UK regulatory framework for the sector. The water and waste water services in the UK Midlands region reported pretax profit of GBP192.3 million for the six months to September 30, more than double the GBP70.7 million achieved a year prior. Revenue increased by 4.5% on-year to GBP1.22 billion from GBP1.17 billion. Severn Trent raised its interim dividend by 4.2% to 48.68p from 46.74p. Chief Executive Liv Garfield said: "We know there is more to do. The Outstanding rating we received for our plan gives us visibility and confidence to make a fast start on the biggest investment programme in our history. We are implementing the sector's most ambitious storm overflow improvement plan at pace, while also creating 7,000 jobs across our region, including a new 440-strong team of experts dedicated to our water pipe replacement programme. We are going further and faster than ever before and have a great platform to deliver huge benefits for our region in the years ahead." Severn Trent is predicting a "highest year ever of capital investment", at the upper end of a GBP1.3 billion to GBP1.5 billion range. Capital investment in the first half increased to GBP665.9 million from GBP476.9 million a year prior. The company added: "As we head into the final few months of the AMP7 regulatory period, the business is stronger than ever and we are looking forward to a successful AMP8. The draft determination we received in July provided significant clarity to AMP8, confirming at least 28% real RCV growth, base costs broadly in line with our business plan, and new protection mechanisms on energy costs and business rates." The final determination is due to be received on December 19.
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COMPANIES - FTSE 250
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Crest Nicholson said it expects annual profit at the lower end of guidance, due to a larger chunk of "affordable homes delivered in the year". For the year ended October 31, the housebuilder expects adjusted pretax profit at the lower end of its GBP22 million to GBP29 million outlook range. It puts this down to a "higher proportion of both affordable homes delivered in the year and as we continue to trade out of low margin sites". Adjusted pretax profit in financial 2023 totalled GBP41.4 million, so Crest expects a decline of up to 47%. Looking ahead, CEO Martyn Clark said: "FY25 will be a year of transition for Crest Nicholson. We are well-positioned with sufficient land with full planning permission to support our planned outlets and volumes. We will focus more on private sales and prioritise value over volume to enhance returns and margins." Clark added: "Encouragingly, the broader economic landscape is becoming more favourable, with a more benign interest rate environment and increased government support to improve the planning process to deliver their ambition of increasing supply of much needed homes in the UK."
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Ninety One said it has struck a long-term asset management pact with Johannesburg-listed life insurance provider Sanlam. Sanlam will appoint Ninety One "as its primary active investment manager for single-managed local and global products", a joint-announcement said. As part of the deal, Ninety One will buy Sanlam Investment Management, which Sanlam currently owns around 66% of. "In addition, Sanlam will appoint Ninety One as the permanent investment manager to manage assets for Sanlam Investments UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sanlam Group. Furthermore, Sanlam will serve as an anchor investor in Ninety One's international private and specialist credit strategies that meet its investment requirements," the announcement said. Sanlam is to receive a roughly 12% stake in Ninety One as part of the deal. Ninety One reported an increase in half-year assets under management, though outflows picked up on-year amid "muted demand for risk-on strategies". Assets under management at the September 30 half-year end rose to GBP127.4 billion from GBP123.1 billion a year prior, and GBP126.0 billion in March. New outflows totalled GBP5.3 billion in the half-year, rising from GBP4.3 billion a year earlier, however. "During this reporting period, Ninety One benefited from positive performance in equity and bond markets. Demand for risk-on strategies, especially emerging markets, remained muted. This affected our ability to produce new business at historic rates. It is encouraging to note that we have experienced a significant improvement in inflows and business opportunities since September. In spite of cyclical demand headwinds, we remain committed to our focus areas and chosen markets," CEO Hendrik du Toit said. "Today we announce a significant agreement with Sanlam, where Ninety One will gain preferred access to its distribution network and become Sanlam's primary active investment partner. Subject to the necessary approvals, the agreement will bolster our market leadership position in South Africa. This is a vote of confidence in the future of South Africa."
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OTHER COMPANIES
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Veterinary firm CVS expects annual results in line with market expectations. Ahead of its annual general meeting, the company said sales in the four months to October 31 rose 7.6% on-year. Like-for-like sales were flat, however, amid "soft demand in the UK". Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 5.5%. "The board continues to expect to deliver full year 2025 results in line with market expectations, with the impact of recently announced UK government budget changes to employment costs offset with growth, efficiencies and purchasing synergies in Australia," CVS said. "Whilst the board remains mindful of headwinds in the UK, the fundamental need for high quality veterinary care remains strong, the expansion into Australia is progressing well and CVS remains well positioned to deliver attractive growth in shareholder value over the medium term." CVS warned that measures announced in last month's UK government budget will "result in a significant increase in employment costs with effect from April 2025". It added: "Whilst these increases will only apply in the final quarter of this financial year, the annualised impact to the year ending 30 June 2026 is estimated to be GBP8 million from the national insurance scheme changes. The group expects to substantially mitigate these through growth, efficiencies and purchasing synergies in Australia."
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By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
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