Friday,07 March 2025 08:25:25

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Friday,07 March 2025 at 08:20

UK and European stocks were set to fall again, following losses in the US and Asia, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.

Asia-Pacific markets fell with yields on long-term Japanese government bonds hitting levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis.

The moves in Asia markets mirrored losses on Wall Street after U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff concessions failed to calm investors.

Oil largely unchanged with global benchmark Brent below $70 a barrel under pressure from tariffs between the U.S., Canada, and China, and plans by OPEC+ to raise output.

Gold price remains confined in a range as traders keenly await the US NFP release. Rising trade tensions, the risk-off mood, and a weaker USD lend support to the precious metal.

In corporate news, AstraZeneca said its Imfinzi drug when used with chemotherapy had shown “statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement” in survival in resectable early-stage gastric and gastroesophageal cancers before surgery.

The findings come from results of the Matterhorn Phase 3 trial of 948 patients.

Just Group saw full-year operating profits jump by a third. The financial services group had pledged to double its profit over five years, but has now managed that feat two years ahead of schedule.

Underlying operating profit was up by 34% to £504m. Management cited new business sales growth, higher recurring in-force profit and more scale.

Adjusted profit before tax fell by 7.3% to £482m, due to lower non-operating items. The company's total dividend per share rose by 20% to 2.5p, thanks to a 1.8p final payout.

Markets

At 08:20

FTSE 100 8,646 (-0.41%)

FTSE 250 19,982 (-0.88%)

DAX 23,202 (-0.92%)

At the close

Dow Jones 42,579 (-0.99%)

S&P 500 5,738 (-1.78%)

NASDAQ 18,069 (-2.61%)

Fixed Income

UK 10-YR YIELD 4.618

Exchange Rates

GBP/USD 1.291

GBP/EUR 1.191

Commodities

Gold $2,918 +0.25%

Brent $70.05 +0.88%

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.