Monday,18 December 2023 08:31:03

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Monday,18 December 2023 at 08:30

UK & European markets opened slightly lower to start the penultimate week of 2023.

Asia-Pacific markets were mostly lower, while South Korean shares bucked the trend as defence stocks led gains.

Gold edged higher, supported by a weakness in bond yields as investors awaited U.S. inflation data, due later this week, for more clarity on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path after a dovish pivot last week.

Oil prices rose nearly 1%, supported by lower exports from Russia and as attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea raised concerns of oil supply disruption.

In corporate news, British speciality chemicals company Croda International is on the hunt for a new chief financial officer after announcing that its Louisa Burdett will leave the group next year to join Spirax-Sarco Engineering.

Croda also confirmed that its full-year outlook for 2023 remains unchanged with adjusted profit before tax still expected to be between £300m and £320m, albeit at the lower end of that range.

Markets

At 08:15

FTSE 100 7,572 (-0.05%)

FTSE 250 19,114 (-0.49%)

DAX 16,695 (-0.32%)

At the close

Dow Jones 37,305 +0.15%

S&P 500 4,719 (-0.01%)

NASDAQ 14,813 +0.35%

Fixed Income

UK 10-YR YIELD 3.705

Exchange Rates

GBP/USD 1.268

GBP/EUR 1.161

Commodities

Gold $2,023 +0.18%

Brent $76.95 +0.16%

Important - No news or research item should be construed as a recommendation to trade. The inclusion of securities within this report does not necessarily imply their suitability for individual portfolios or situations in respect of which further advice should be sought. Information contained in this report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable but is not warranted to be accurate or complete.