FTSE 100 opens steady as Legal & General raises shareholder returns, S4 Capital launches its first dividend and Brent crude eases.
Market Overview
The FTSE 100 opened marginally lower at 10,879.00, while the Euronext 100 edged higher by around 0.04 per cent and Germany’s DAX gained approximately 0.64 per cent at the open. Overnight, US markets finished strongly higher, with the Nasdaq closing at 26,584.99 and the S&P 500 at 7,736.52. Investor sentiment was supported by improving corporate earnings and optimism that progress towards a US-Iran agreement over the Strait of Hormuz could ease supply concerns and underpin broader risk appetite.
Commodity markets reflected easing geopolitical tensions as Brent crude slipped for a third consecutive session, while copper strengthened and gold edged higher. Natural gas also traded firmer. Against sterling, the US dollar and euro strengthened slightly, the Swiss franc was little changed, the Japanese yen weakened, the Australian dollar was broadly unchanged and Bitcoin fell slightly.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Down (-0.001%), 10,879.00
Euronext 100: Up (+0.04%), 1,958.79
DAX: Up (+0.64%), 26,371.96
NASDAQ: Up, 26,584.99
S&P 500: Up, 7,736.52
In the Headlines
Strong results – Legal & General (LSE:LGEN)
Legal & General delivered a strong first-half performance, reporting higher profits, robust capital generation and growth across its retirement and asset management businesses. The insurer also increased shareholder returns through a higher interim dividend and an expanded share buyback programme, highlighting confidence in its capital position.
Margin improvement – S4 Capital (LSE:SFOR)
S4 Capital reported improved profitability, lower debt and announced its first-ever dividend as cost reductions continued to offset a subdued client spending environment. The update points to improving financial resilience despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Up (+0.05%), $1.3451
CHF: Flat (+0.00%), Fr.1.0884
EUR: Up (+0.01%), €1.1664
JPY: Down (-0.11%), ¥212.121
AUD: Flat (+0.00%), $1.9088
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Down, £47,528.69
Commodities
Copper: Up
Gold: Up
Brent Crude: Down
Natural Gas: Up
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