FTSE 100 opens flat as Fed rate expectations support sentiment, while Defence Holdings invests £2m and Gattaca reports profit growth.
Market Overview
The FTSE 100 opened broadly unchanged at 10,749.95, down less than 0.01 per cent from its previous close, while the Euronext 100 gained 0.04 per cent to 1,970.69 and Germany’s DAX was 0.02 per cent higher at 26,446.72. European sentiment was supported by falling bond yields and expectations that the Federal Reserve may remain on hold after softer US retail sales data. Overnight on Wall Street, the Nasdaq closed lower at 26,729.16 and the S&P 500 declined to 7,785.76.
Commodity trading was mixed, with copper and gold higher while Brent crude and natural gas moved lower. Oil markets remained sensitive to continuing tensions involving Iran following a strong week for prices. Against sterling, the US dollar and Japanese yen strengthened marginally, the Swiss franc weakened slightly, while the euro and Australian dollar were unchanged. Bitcoin rose against sterling.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Down (-0.001%), 10,749.95
Euronext 100: Up (+0.04%), 1,970.69
DAX: Up (+0.02%), 26,446.72
NASDAQ: Down, 26,729.16
S&P 500: Down, 7,785.76
In the Headlines
Defence investment – Defence Holdings (LSE:ALRT)
Defence Holdings has committed £2 million to a new UK defence technology fund. The investment increases the company’s exposure to emerging defence technologies as the sector attracts greater strategic attention.
Contract hiring – Gattaca (LSE:GATC)
Gattaca reported growth in profit and net fee income for FY26, supported by contract hiring. The performance highlights the importance of its contract recruitment operations in driving earnings growth.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Up (+0.00%), $1.3546
CHF: Down (-0.00%), Fr.1.1009
EUR: Unchanged (0.00%), €1.1704
JPY: Up (+0.01%), ¥215.684
AUD: Unchanged (0.00%), $1.9119
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Up, £46,806.15
Commodities
Copper: Up
Gold: Up
Brent Crude: Down
Natural Gas: Down
Leave a Reply