Friday,26 July 2024 08:19:50

Market Report by Email

If you would like to receive the daily Market Report by email please fill out your name and email address in the sign-up form below and you will be added to our mailing list.

Friday,26 July 2024 at 07:17

UK & European stocks rose at the open despite mixed performances in the US and Asia.

Asia-Pacific markets mostly rebounded, after Thursday’s sell-off saw some indexes in the region hit their lowest level in months.

Oil prices were up slightly on stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world’s largest energy consumer.

Gold was on track for a weekly loss, even as prices firmed on Friday ahead of a key U.S. inflation reading that could offer more cues on when the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.

In corporate news, NatWest Group posted operating profits of £3bn for the first half of its fiscal year, for a return on tangible equity of 16.4%.

Its net interest margin increased by five basis points to 2.10% over the three months to June in comparison to the first quarter. Levels of default remained stable and at low levels across the portfolio.

Management said that it now saw full-year income excluding notable items of approximately £14bn and expected the lender's return on tangible equity would increase to over 14%. The interim dividend payout was hiked by 9% to 6p.

Markets

08:15

FTSE 100 8,219 +0.40%

FTSE 250 20,920 +0.18%

DAX 18,248 (-0.27%)

the close

Dow Jones 39,935 +0.20%

S&P 500 5,399 (-0.51%)

NASDAQ 17,181 (-0.93%)

Fixed Income

UK 10-YR YIELD 4.174

Exchange Rates

GBP/USD 1.285

GBP/EUR 1.185

Commodities

Gold $2,370 +0.28%

Brent $2,370 +0.28%

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.