Market Overview
UK equities opened firmer, with the FTSE 100 rising 0.38 per cent to 10,236.11 and the FTSE 250 edging 0.04 per cent higher to 22,900.7. US markets also closed in positive territory, as the Dow Jones gained 0.38 per cent, the S&P 500 added 0.60 per cent and the Nasdaq advanced 0.86 per cent amid continued support for technology shares. Investor sentiment remained focused on UK economic resilience, with borrowing costs holding near recent highs alongside forecasts for slowing house price growth and rising food inflation pressures.
Commodity markets reflected a mixed macro backdrop. Brent crude declined as concerns over global demand offset supply worries, while gold and copper moved higher on defensive positioning and expectations for continued infrastructure demand. Natural gas also edged up, while Bitcoin weakened slightly against sterling. Sterling strengthened against major currencies including the US dollar and euro as markets continued to assess UK inflation pressures and interest rate expectations.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Up (0.38%), 10,236.11
FTSE 250: Up (0.04%), 22,900.7
DOW: Up (0.38%), 49,720.4
NASDAQ: Up (0.86%), 28,744.5
S&P 500: Up (0.60%), 7,371.3
In the Headlines
Fuel Supply Warning – International Consolidated Airlines Group (LSE:IAG)
British Airways owner IAG warned that fuel supply shortages could become a growing operational risk for airlines, highlighting ongoing pressure across energy and aviation supply chains. The comments come as fuel markets remain volatile and airlines continue managing higher operating costs.
Barclays Target Raised – Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC)
RBC Capital lifted its price target on Barclays following the bank’s first-quarter results, citing stronger profitability and resilient performance in investment banking operations. The move may support sentiment towards UK banking shares amid expectations for higher interest rates to persist.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Up (0.49%), $1.3617
EUR: Up (0.09%), €1.1564
JPY: Up (0.32%), ¥213.337
AUD: Up (0.11%), $1.881880
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Down (-0.53%), £58,726.1
Commodities
Brent Crude: Down (-2.76%), 99.225
Gold: Up (0.11%), 4,727.875
Copper: Up (2.00%), 6.2728
Natural Gas: Up (0.99%), 2.9555
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