Markets mixed as Flutter plans a London exit and Barclays acquires GoHenry. Brent crude, gold and Bitcoin all move lower.
Market Overview
UK markets were mixed at the open, with the FTSE 100 slipping 0.12 per cent to 10,390.07, while the FTSE 250 gained 1.28 per cent. Across Europe, sentiment improved as hopes for a US-Iran agreement helped lift risk appetite, with the CAC 40 rising 0.48 per cent and the DAX adding 0.06 per cent. In the United States, overnight trading was weaker, with the Nasdaq falling 0.88 per cent and the S&P 500 declining 0.23 per cent. Investors also weighed softer UK economic data alongside improving geopolitical sentiment.
Commodity markets reflected easing geopolitical concerns. Brent crude moved lower as hopes for reduced tensions in the Middle East weighed on energy prices, while copper and gold also declined. Natural gas edged higher. Sterling strengthened against the euro and US dollar but weakened against the yen, Swiss franc and Australian dollar. Bitcoin traded lower against the pound as broader risk assets remained mixed.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Down (-0.12%), 10,390.07
CAC40: Up (0.48%), 8,200.800
DAX: Up (0.06%), 24,209.71
NASDAQ: Down (-0.88%), 29,263.6
S&P 500: Down (-0.23%), 7,373.9
In the Headlines
London Exit Plan – Flutter Entertainment (LSE:FLTR)
Flutter Entertainment plans to delist from the London Stock Exchange while retaining its primary listing in New York. The move reflects the company’s increasing focus on the US market and highlights the ongoing challenge facing London in retaining major listed companies.
Youth Banking Expansion – Barclays (LSE:BARC)
Barclays has agreed to acquire children’s debit card and money management app GoHenry from Acorns. The deal is intended to strengthen Barclays’ youth banking proposition and expand its reach among affluent families.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Down (-0.14%), $1.3394
CHF: Up (0.08%), Fr.1.06726
EUR: Down (-0.04%), €1.1581
JPY: Up (0.09%), ¥214.800
AUD: Up (0.23%), $1.906600
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Down (-0.82%), £47,006.7
Commodities
Copper: Down (-0.36%), 6.41327
Gold: Down (-0.85%), 4,175.23
Brent Crude: Down (-0.89%), 87.735
Natural Gas: Up (0.03%), 3.072
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