Wednesday,12 March 2025 08:04:09

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.

Wednesday,12 March 2025 at 07:59

UK and European markets are heading for a sharply higher open amid hopes that a ceasefire can be reached to pause the war in Ukraine.
Market sentiment in the region was boosted Tuesday as talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday ended with Ukraine agreeing to an immediate 30-day ceasefire negotiated by the U.S. if Russia accepts the plan.

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed, after all three benchmarks on Wall Street whipsawed on uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and fears of a recession in the world’s largest economy.

Gold steadied above $2,910 per ounce on Wednesday, holding a 1% gain from the previous session, sustained by its safe-haven appeal and weaker US dollar.

Crude oil futures extended gains toward $67 per barrel on Wednesday, supported by a weaker US dollar and reduced global oversupply forecasts.

Financial services group Legal & General is to buy back £500m of shares this year after a strong financial performance in 2024, as part of plans to return more than £5bn to shareholders within three years - equal to around 40% of its market capitalisation.
Core operating profits were up 6% last year at £1.62bn, with a decline in asset management profits outweighed by growth in the retail and institutional retirement divisions.

Infrastructure construction specialist Balfour Beatty posted an 11% rise in underlying annual earnings and said it would buy back £125m in shares this year.
Profit for 2024 came in at £289m on revenue of £10bn, up from £9.6bn a year earlier.

Markets

AT THE OPEN

FTSE 100 8,495 (-1.21%)

FTSE 250 19,770 (-0.53%)

DAX 22,328 (-1.29%)

AT THE CLOSE

Dow Jones 41,433 (-1.14%)

S&P 500 5,572 (-0.76%)

NASDAQ 17,436 (-0.18%)

Fixed Income

UK 10-YR YIELD 4.630

Exchange Rates

GBP/USD 1.292

GBP/EUR 1.185

Commodities

Gold $2,915 (-0.02%)

Brent $69.83 (-0.10%)

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.