Category: Market Summary

  • European stocks trade sideways as investors monitor Middle East diplomacy and AI earnings: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European stocks trade sideways as investors monitor Middle East diplomacy and AI earnings: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    Markets hold steady ahead of major technology results

    European equities traded in a narrow range on Tuesday as investors remained focused on diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran while awaiting earnings from major U.S. technology companies for further signals on artificial intelligence-related demand.

    The French CAC 40 slipped 0.1%, Germany’s DAX traded marginally above flat, and the UK’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1% higher.

    Kier and mining stocks lead the gainers

    Construction and infrastructure specialist Kier Group (LSE:KIE) was among the session’s strongest performers after the company said it expects full-year revenue and profit to finish at the upper end of market expectations.

    Mining shares also advanced as stronger copper prices supported the sector. Anglo American (LSE:AAL), Antofagasta (LSE:ANTO) and Glencore (LSE:GLEN) all posted notable gains.

    Healthcare and industrial companies attract buyers

    Novartis (TG:NOT) moved higher after reporting second-quarter core operating profit ahead of market forecasts.

    Swedish engineering company Alfa Laval (TG:AA9) also traded higher after announcing a 35% increase in second-quarter order intake.

    Julius Baer (TG:JGE) gained despite reporting that first-half profit more than doubled.

    Recruiters and consumer stocks come under pressure

    On the downside, recruitment firm Sthree (LSE:STEM) fell sharply after reporting a 75% decline in first-half profit, reflecting weaker hiring activity in Germany and the Netherlands.

    Compass Group (LSE:CPG) also retreated despite delivering solid quarterly revenue growth.

    Swiss elevator manufacturer Schindler Holding (TG:SHR) dropped to a two-month low after second-quarter sales missed expectations.

    Meanwhile, watchmaker Swatch Group (LSE:0QM4) declined after first-half earnings came in below analysts’ forecasts.

  • US futures advance as investors assess Middle East conflict and await major AI earnings: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street

    US futures advance as investors assess Middle East conflict and await major AI earnings: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street

    Markets prepare for a crucial week of corporate results

    US stock index futures moved higher on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to a wave of earnings from leading technology companies while continuing to monitor developments in the Middle East and the outlook for artificial intelligence investment.

    As of 02:49 ET (06:49 GMT), Dow Jones futures were up 170 points, or 0.3%, S&P 500 futures had gained 39 points, or 0.5%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 359 points, or 1.3%.

    The gains followed a weaker session on Wall Street, where concerns over the long-term sustainability of AI spending weighed on sentiment. Semiconductor stocks tied to artificial intelligence surrendered much of their earlier rally, with the sector finishing only 0.6% higher after posting gains of more than 3% during the session.

    Markets were also digesting increased competition from emerging Chinese AI developers, adding another layer of uncertainty to the sector.

    Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signed executive orders introducing a 50% tariff on a wide range of Canadian imports, including paper products, plywood and hockey sticks. The new duties are due to take effect within 30 days.

    Geopolitical uncertainty keeps investors cautious

    Risk appetite remained restrained after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement threatened to block Saudi shipping, raising concerns that the regional conflict could spread further and disrupt global energy supplies.

    The warning came as military exchanges between Washington and Tehran entered a tenth consecutive day despite continuing diplomatic contacts aimed at reducing tensions.

    Investors also remained focused on the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, two critical maritime routes whose disruption could have significant implications for global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

    Oil holds above pre-war levels

    Crude prices eased slightly but continued to trade well above the levels seen before the conflict escalated.

    Brent crude slipped 0.1% to $89.17 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 0.2% to $83.40.

    Before hostilities intensified in late February, Brent had been trading close to $70 per barrel. Renewed geopolitical instability has kept prices elevated despite earlier ceasefire efforts.

    Higher energy costs continue to raise concerns that inflation could remain stubborn, potentially influencing future monetary policy decisions.

    Earnings season gathers pace

    Investors are awaiting results from Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW), Danaher (NYSE:DHR), 3M (NYSE:MMM), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) and General Motors (NYSE:GM) before US markets open.

    After the closing bell, Interactive Brokers, Chubb and Capital One are also due to report.

    In Europe, Novartis (NYSE:NVS) exceeded expectations for second-quarter core operating profit as cost controls offset softer sales of Entresto. The company’s shares rose more than 1% in early trading.

    Attention will quickly turn to Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN), whose quarterly reports later this week are expected to provide important signals about the pace of AI-related investment.

    Nvidia increases exposure to Nebius

    Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) disclosed a 9.3% ownership stake in AI cloud infrastructure company Nebius (NASDAQ:NBIS), following its previous $2 billion investment.

    Regulatory filings showed the holding totals approximately 22.26 million shares, including shares associated with warrants that cannot be exercised before 11 September.

    Nebius shares gained around 5% in after-hours trading.

    Headquartered in Amsterdam, Nebius was created from the separation of Yandex and plans to build more than five gigawatts of AI computing capacity by 2030.

  • UK defence stocks climb as John Healey takes over as finance minister

    UK defence stocks climb as John Healey takes over as finance minister

    Defence sector gains after cabinet reshuffle

    Shares in UK defence companies moved higher on Tuesday after newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham named former defence secretary John Healey as the country’s new finance minister, prompting investors to reassess prospects for future military spending.

    By 10:03 GMT, Babcock International (LSE:BAB) had advanced 6.4%, Qinetiq (LSE:QQ.) gained 3.8%, while BAE Systems (LSE:BA.) rose 3%.

    Markets anticipate stronger defence investment

    Healey left his role as defence secretary in June after criticising the previous administration over military funding, arguing that the then-prime minister had been “unable” and the Treasury “unwilling” to provide the resources necessary to safeguard the country.

    According to Andrew Wishart, senior UK economist at Berenberg, Healey’s earlier resignation over defence spending “suggests that he will raise military expenditure,” although the question of how such increases would be financed “remains to be seen.”

    Fiscal pressures remain a key challenge

    Although Healey is regarded as a respected figure within the Labour Party, he now faces the difficult task of increasing funding for priorities such as defence while supporting economic growth, reducing welfare spending and remaining within the fiscal framework that Burnham has committed to maintaining.

    While he was not widely expected to become finance minister, investors welcomed the appointment, citing his previous experience as a junior Treasury minister under Gordon Brown between 2002 and 2007, together with senior roles held under successive Labour leaders.

    Earlier this month, Healey told the BBC that increased investment in defence could contribute to revitalising British industry and supporting a broader programme of reindustrialisation.

    Sterling also strengthened modestly following his appointment after earlier weakness triggered by Burnham’s comments suggesting there could be some flexibility in the UK’s fiscal rules.

    Canada expected to join GCAP programme

    The new government is also expected to announce an important defence initiative on Tuesday by inviting Canada to participate in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the next-generation fighter aircraft project currently led by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan.

    The announcement is expected to coincide with the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the aerospace and defence industry’s leading annual events, where ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to drive demand for advanced military technologies, including combat drones, interceptor missile systems and artificial intelligence-enabled defence software.

    Canada is expected to join the programme as an observer, becoming the first country outside the three founding partners to participate in the GCAP initiative.

  • European stocks trade cautiously as Houthi shipping threat overshadows diplomatic progress: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European stocks trade cautiously as Houthi shipping threat overshadows diplomatic progress: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    Markets balance Middle East tensions with earnings and economic data

    European equities posted modest gains on Tuesday as investors weighed renewed security concerns surrounding key Middle Eastern shipping routes against signs that diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran remains active. Market participants also turned their attention to a busy week of corporate earnings and economic releases across Europe.

    The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.2% in early trading. Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 each advanced 0.2%, while Italy’s FTSE MIB outperformed with a 0.6% gain.

    New maritime security concerns return to focus

    Investor sentiment was tempered after Yemen’s Houthi movement announced plans to impose a fresh naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, reviving fears over the security of vital energy transport routes and the potential impact on global oil and shipping markets.

    The latest development came even as reports suggested diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing following recent military confrontations. As a result, financial markets continue to weigh the possibility of easing geopolitical tensions against the growing risks facing maritime trade.

    Earnings season and central bank outlook remain in focus

    Corporate results also shaped early trading, with Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis (NYSE:NVS) reporting second-quarter sales that exceeded market expectations.

    Defensive sectors have attracted renewed investor interest as geopolitical uncertainty persists and attention shifts toward Thursday’s European Central Bank policy meeting, where markets will be watching closely for guidance on interest rates and the economic outlook.

    Economic indicators expected to guide markets

    Investors are also awaiting the latest Eurozone economic sentiment data, which could provide further insight into business confidence and the resilience of the regional economy.

    In the United Kingdom, fresh wage growth figures are due shortly after newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham entered office, offering policymakers and the Bank of England updated information on labour market conditions and inflation pressures.

    London’s FTSE 100 traded 0.1% lower in early dealings.

    Wall Street earnings remain important for European sentiment

    Beyond Europe, investors are preparing for a series of earnings reports from major US technology companies, including Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Intel (NASDAQ:INTL), all scheduled to report later this week.

    Although European equity markets have fewer mega-cap technology companies than their US counterparts, many industrial groups and semiconductor equipment manufacturers remain closely linked to American technology investment.

    Any changes to capital spending plans for artificial intelligence or digital infrastructure announced by US technology leaders could have a significant impact on European technology shares.

    Company movers

    Among individual stocks, Mitie Group (LSE:MTO) surged 40% after agreeing to a takeover by OCS Group.

    Meanwhile, Wienerberger (TG:WIB) declined 7% following the release of its latest quarterly results.

  • Market Open: Marston’s Growth Target, Wickes Sales Growth

    Market Open: Marston’s Growth Target, Wickes Sales Growth

    FTSE 100 opens flat as investors watch Middle East tensions. Marston’s and Wickes lead headlines while Brent crude eases and copper gains.

    Market Overview

    The FTSE 100 opened marginally lower, while European markets were mixed as the Euronext 100 edged higher and Germany’s DAX gained at the open. Overnight, US markets finished weaker, with the Nasdaq closing at 25,508.07 and the S&P 500 ending at 7,443.28 as investors monitored renewed security concerns in the Middle East, including shipping risks around the Strait of Hormuz and their potential impact on energy markets. The FTSE 100 opened 0.001 per cent lower, the Euronext 100 rose 0.04 per cent and the DAX gained 0.10 per cent.

    Commodity markets remained in focus as geopolitical tensions continued to influence sentiment. Copper strengthened, while gold eased and Brent crude traded lower despite ongoing supply concerns. Natural gas edged higher. Against sterling, the US dollar and Swiss franc were little changed, the euro was steady, the Japanese yen and Australian dollar edged higher, while Bitcoin was higher.

    Market Numbers

    FTSE 100: Down (-0.001%), 10,524.25
    Euronext 100: Up (+0.04%), 1,902.53
    DAX: Up (+0.10%), 24,871.47
    NASDAQ: Down, 25,508.07
    S&P 500: Down, 7,443.28

    In the Headlines

    Trading update – Marston’s (LSE:MARS)
    Marston’s said trading has been supported by stronger customer demand during the World Cup period and outlined plans to accelerate growth. The update suggests trading momentum has improved despite a challenging consumer backdrop, providing reassurance over the group’s outlook.

    Retail update – Wickes (LSE:WIX)
    Wickes reported second-quarter sales growth and maintained its full-year expectations. The update indicates continued resilience in consumer demand across its home improvement business despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

    Currencies (vs GBP)

    USD: Down (-0.00%), $1.3431
    CHF: Down (-0.01%), Fr.1.0879
    EUR: Unchanged (0.00%), €1.1765
    JPY: Up (+0.00%), ¥218.244
    AUD: Up (+0.01%), $1.9187
    Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Up, £49,235.60

    Commodities

    Copper: Up
    Gold: Down
    Brent Crude: Down
    Natural Gas: Up

  • FTSE 100 falls as Strait of Hormuz tensions offset ceasefire optimism

    FTSE 100 falls as Strait of Hormuz tensions offset ceasefire optimism

    UK stocks edge lower amid renewed Middle East uncertainty

    The FTSE 100 traded modestly lower on Tuesday as investors assessed reports of a proposed temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, while renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continued to fuel geopolitical uncertainty. Investors also digested stronger-than-expected UK labour market figures alongside an improvement in the government’s latest borrowing data.

    The FTSE 100 slipped 0.18%, while Germany’s DAX traded broadly flat and France’s CAC 40 gained 0.05%. Sterling strengthened 0.07% against the US dollar to $1.3444.

    Ceasefire proposal competes with escalating regional conflict

    According to reports, Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan have put forward a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating an opportunity for broader discussions on maritime security.

    However, uncertainty remained elevated after reports that Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early on Tuesday, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. The incident followed a tenth consecutive night of US airstrikes targeting Iran’s military capabilities linked to commercial shipping.

    Separately, Yemen’s Houthi movement announced a blockade of Saudi Arabia through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while Iran’s president declared the country had entered “full-scale war.” Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continued, with Iran’s interior minister travelling to Pakistan for mediation talks.

    US President Donald Trump has yet to decide whether to support the proposed ceasefire or continue backing wider military operations alongside Israel, with officials suggesting the coming days will be critical.

    Government announces energy tax cut

    Domestically, newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that VAT on household electricity bills will be abolished from October 1, with the measure funded by cancelling the £1.8 billion Digital ID programme.

    “We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets and bring back hope,” Burnham said.

    Chancellor John Healey added that the policy would “help bring down inflation while supporting households in every postcode.”

    Government bond yields moved higher following the announcement.

    UK labour market remains resilient

    Fresh data from the Office for National Statistics showed the UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% during the three months to May, outperforming forecasts of 5.0%.

    Employment increased by 148,000 over the quarter, comfortably ahead of economists’ expectations for an 80,000 gain, while the employment rate rose to 75.1%.

    Average weekly earnings increased by 4.3% year-on-year, slightly below the expected 4.5%, while regular pay excluding bonuses rose 3.4%, matching forecasts.

    Private sector regular pay growth stood at 2.9%, compared with 5.5% in the public sector, while job vacancies declined by 7,000 to 712,000 during the second quarter.

    Public borrowing declines in June

    The UK’s public finances also showed improvement, with public sector borrowing falling to £16.0 billion in June, a reduction of £7.9 billion compared with the same month last year and marginally below official forecasts.

    Borrowing for the financial year to date reached £57.6 billion, down £3.7 billion from a year earlier but still £2.7 billion above projections.

    Public sector net debt stood at 94.9% of GDP at the end of June, up 0.4 percentage points year-on-year and remaining close to levels last seen in the early 1960s.

    Commodities mixed as investors seek safety

    Oil prices eased despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, with Brent crude falling around 0.4% to $88.87 per barrel, while US WTI crude remained broadly unchanged near $82.46.

    Gold extended its rally as investors sought defensive assets, with futures climbing 1.6% to $4,078.52 an ounce and spot gold rising 1.7% to approximately $4,074.33.

    UK companies in focus

    Mitie Group (LSE:MTO) reported a 10% increase in first-quarter revenue, supported by contract wins, renewals and the acquisition of Marlowe. The company also agreed to a £3.1 billion takeover by OCS Group and suspended its £100 million share buyback programme.

    MONY Group (LSE:MONY) posted record first-half revenue and reiterated its full-year earnings guidance, with growth across its Insurance, Money and Home Services divisions helping offset weaker Cashback performance. Ongoing cost efficiencies and increased use of automation and artificial intelligence continued to support profitability.

    Compass Group (LSE:CPG) delivered 7.1% organic revenue growth during the third quarter as new business momentum accelerated into its target range. The catering group said it remains on course to achieve a fifth consecutive year of 4% to 5% net new business growth.

    Wickes Group (LSE:WIX) reported higher second-quarter revenue, driven by increased customer volumes and market share gains despite continued pricing pressure. The home improvement retailer maintained its fiscal 2026 profit guidance, supported by growth in its TradePro membership programme and digital sales.

  • Wall Street futures edge higher as easing oil prices boost market sentiment: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq

    Wall Street futures edge higher as easing oil prices boost market sentiment: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq

    U.S. futures signal rebound after last week’s sell-off

    U.S. stock index futures traded higher on Monday, pointing to a positive start for Wall Street after markets ended last week with two consecutive sessions of heavy losses.

    Investors appeared willing to return to equities following the recent pullback, with technology shares expected to lead the recovery. Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.9%, reflecting renewed optimism after sharp declines across the sector.

    Falling oil prices lift investor confidence

    Market sentiment also improved as oil prices retreated from earlier highs. Brent crude briefly traded above $90 a barrel before easing after comments from Iran suggested there may still be room for diplomatic negotiations.

    Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran could pursue talks based on national interests after the United States carried out its ninth straight night of strikes against Iran.

    “Oil prices have pulled back from their overnight highs on reports that Iran has received new proposals for negotiations, raising hopes that diplomatic channels remain open despite the recent escalation in hostilities,” said Daniela Hathorn, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com.

    She added, “While the conflict remains far from resolved, the prospect of renewed talks has eased immediate concerns over further disruptions to oil supply and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.”

    Technology stocks remained under pressure last week

    Wall Street finished Friday sharply lower, extending losses as investors continued to reduce exposure to technology stocks.

    The Nasdaq dropped 361.70 points, or 1.4%, to 25,520.24. The S&P 500 lost 76.08 points, or 1.0%, to 7,457.69, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 406.55 points, or 0.8%, to 52,146.42.

    Over the course of the week, the Nasdaq declined 2.9%, the S&P 500 fell 1.6% and the Dow slipped 0.9%.

    Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) was among the weakest performers after its shares dropped 7.3% despite reporting quarterly results that largely met expectations, as investors reacted negatively to its third-quarter outlook.

    Attention is now turning to earnings from Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), IBM Corp. (NYSE:IBM), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), while elevated valuations across AI and semiconductor companies continue to be closely watched.

    “With sentiment brittle, investors are becoming increasingly wary of valuations in the AI and technology sector – most notably in the memory chip space where share prices have surged to unprecedented levels this year. AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

    Airlines, brokers and chipmakers led declines

    Friday’s surge in crude oil prices, driven by escalating Middle East tensions, weighed on several sectors across the market.

    Airline shares came under heavy selling pressure, pushing the NYSE Arca Airline Index down 3.5%, while the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index lost 2.3%.

    Semiconductor stocks also weakened, sending the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index down 1.6% to its lowest closing level in nearly two months.

    Housing, software and retail stocks also finished lower, whereas oil producers and computer hardware companies outperformed.

  • European markets trade mixed as oil rally fuels inflation concerns: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European markets trade mixed as oil rally fuels inflation concerns: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities delivered a mixed performance on Monday after escalating tensions in the Middle East lifted Brent crude above $90 per barrel for the first time in a month, renewing concerns that higher energy prices could add to inflationary pressures, influence interest rate expectations and weigh on economic growth.

    Market participants are also preparing for earnings reports from major U.S. technology companies and this week’s European Central Bank policy meeting. The ECB is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged after delivering its first rate increase in almost three years on June 11.

    German producer prices extend annual gains

    German government bond yields climbed to their highest level in two years after fresh data showed producer prices increased for a third consecutive month in June.

    According to Destatis, producer prices rose 1.8 percent year over year in June, easing from the 2.2 percent increase recorded in May.

    The latest increase marked the third straight month of annual growth, supported mainly by higher intermediate goods costs and rising energy prices.

    On a monthly basis, producer prices declined 0.3 percent, compared with economists’ expectations for a 0.2 percent decrease.

    FTSE falls while DAX and CAC advance

    The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index fell 0.3 percent, while Germany’s DAX Index gained 0.2 percent and France’s CAC 40 Index added 0.4 percent.

    In company news, budget airline Ryanair (LSE:0A2U) declined after reporting a 34 percent fall in fiscal first-quarter profit, missing analysts’ expectations.

    Self-storage specialist Big Yellow Group (LSE:BYG) also traded lower after announcing first-quarter revenue growth of 3 percent.

  • US stock futures rise as oil tops $90 and investors await Big Tech earnings: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street

    US stock futures rise as oil tops $90 and investors await Big Tech earnings: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street

    U.S. equity futures moved modestly higher on Monday as investors monitored escalating tensions in the Middle East while preparing for a busy week of earnings from some of the world’s largest technology companies.

    Dow Jones futures gained around 0.1% in early trading, while S&P 500 futures advanced 0.2%. Nasdaq 100 futures led the gains, rising 0.5% as markets looked ahead to quarterly results from several major technology names.

    Wall Street ended Friday’s session lower after renewed concerns emerged over the sustainability of heavy investment in artificial intelligence. Although AI-related stocks have been a major driver of market performance this year, some investors have begun reducing exposure as valuations come under greater scrutiny.

    The semiconductor sector remained under pressure, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index falling more than 20% from its June high, placing the benchmark in bear market territory.

    Analysts at Vital Knowledge said, “For tech investors, bears won the week overwhelmingly, although the slump was more a function of narrative shift and technical dislocation (extremely crowded and complacent positioning and bullish but stale sentiment) than incrementally negative news flow.”

    Geopolitical tensions keep energy markets in focus

    Markets also continued to react to developments in the Middle East after the United States carried out military operations against Iran for a ninth consecutive day.

    Iran reported that two oil tankers had been disabled, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had targeted U.S. military assets in Jordan, Kuwait and Syria. Bahrain also activated emergency warning sirens, highlighting the growing regional tensions.

    The continuing conflict has increased uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

    Oil prices extend gains

    Brent crude climbed 2.8% to $90.56 per barrel, returning above the $90 mark, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 2.3% to $84.39 per barrel.

    The renewed rally has intensified concerns that higher energy prices could fuel inflation and encourage central banks to keep interest rates elevated for longer.

    Moonshot AI eyes Hong Kong IPO

    Bloomberg News reported that Chinese artificial intelligence company Moonshot AI is preparing for a potential Hong Kong listing within the next six months.

    The company is also said to be completing a private fundraising round that could value the business at more than $30 billion, following strong investor interest in its Kimi K3 AI model.

    SpaceX targets next Starship launch

    SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) said it aims to conduct the thirteenth test flight of Starship on Thursday after last week’s launch attempt was called off because of engine issues.

    The mission will seek to complete a successful launch, stage separation and landing while deploying Starlink V3 satellites.

  • Market Open: Craneware Cyber Security Incident, Gulf Keystone Suspends Shaikan Production

    Market Open: Craneware Cyber Security Incident, Gulf Keystone Suspends Shaikan Production

    FTSE 100 opens flat as oil tops $90 on Middle East tensions. Craneware contains a cyber incident while Gulf Keystone halts Shaikan production.

    Market Overview

    The FTSE 100 opened broadly unchanged at 10,600.27, while the Euronext 100 slipped 0.02 per cent and Germany’s DAX fell 0.16 per cent. US markets closed weaker on Friday, with the Nasdaq ending at 25,520.24 and the S&P 500 finishing at 7,457.69. Market sentiment remained under pressure as escalating US-Iran tensions drove oil prices sharply higher, while investors also looked ahead to the European Central Bank meeting and the latest US technology earnings.

    Commodity markets reflected the heightened geopolitical backdrop, with Brent crude extending gains while copper, gold and natural gas were little changed. Bitcoin weakened slightly against sterling. Sterling strengthened modestly against the US dollar and Australian dollar, was broadly steady against the euro, and softened slightly against the Swiss franc and Japanese yen as investors continued to favour defensive assets.


    Market Numbers

    FTSE 100: Down (0.001%), 10,600.27

    Euronext 100: Down (-0.02%), 1,905.03

    DAX: Down (-0.16%), 24,790.34

    NASDAQ: Down, 25,520.24

    S&P 500: Down, 7,457.69


    In the Headlines

    Cyber security – Craneware (LSE:CRW)
    Craneware said it has contained a cyber security incident, with customer-facing services remaining fully operational. The company continues to investigate the incident while maintaining business continuity, helping to limit operational and market disruption.

    Production halt – Gulf Keystone Petroleum (LSE:GKP)
    Gulf Keystone has temporarily suspended production at its Shaikan oil field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq due to deteriorating regional security conditions. The move highlights the growing operational risks facing energy producers as geopolitical tensions intensify.


    Currencies (vs GBP)

    USD: Up (0.00%), $1.3445

    CHF: Down (-0.02%), Fr.1.087

    EUR: Up (0.00%), €1.1766

    JPY: Down (-0.00%), ¥218.521

    AUD: Up (0.00%), $1.9266

    Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Down, £47, 599.95


    Commodities

    Copper: Up

    Gold: Down

    Brent Crude: Up

    Natural Gas: Up