UK markets open mixed as Plus500 posts record results, Marshalls lifts profit and dividend, while Brent crude rises on Hormuz risks.
Market Overview
The FTSE 100 opened unchanged at 10,901.09, while the Euronext 100 edged 0.01 per cent lower to 1,968.96 and Germany’s DAX gained 0.03 per cent to 26,328.02. European sentiment remained cautious as investors weighed continuing uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and looked ahead to US inflation data. Overnight on Wall Street, the Nasdaq closed higher at 26,690.62 and the S&P 500 also advanced to 7,757.64.
Commodity markets were mixed, with copper and gold edging higher, Brent crude rising as uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz kept supply risks elevated, and natural gas broadly unchanged. Bitcoin rose against sterling. The US dollar, euro and Japanese yen strengthened marginally versus the pound, while the Swiss franc and Australian dollar weakened slightly, leaving sterling mixed against major currencies.
Market Numbers
FTSE 100: Unchanged (0.00%), 10,901.09
Euronext 100: Down (-0.01%), 1,968.96
DAX: Up (+0.03%), 26,328.02
NASDAQ: Up, 26,690.62
S&P 500: Up, 7,757.64
In the Headlines
Record first-half results – Plus500 (LSE:PLUS)
Plus500 reported record first-half results, with revenue rising 12% year-on-year to $462.9 million as customer activity strengthened and non-OTC operations expanded. The fintech group also announced $182.5 million of additional shareholder returns through dividends and share buybacks, while maintaining its full-year expectations.
Profit and dividend increase – Marshalls (LSE:MSLH)
Marshalls increased adjusted first-half operating profit by 8.1% despite subdued UK construction markets, while adjusted earnings per share rose 14.4%. The building products group raised its interim dividend by 13.6% and maintained its full-year profit expectations, supported by cost reductions and operational improvements.
Currencies (vs GBP)
USD: Up (+0.01%), $1.3489
CHF: Down (-0.00%), Fr.1.0903
EUR: Up (+0.02%), €1.1672
JPY: Up (+0.01%), ¥213.0005
AUD: Down (-0.00%), $1.91
Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Up, £48,380.42
Commodities
Copper: Up
Gold: Up
Brent Crude: Up
Natural Gas: Unchanged
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