LONDON (Alliance News) - London stocks started the week on firm footing amid a lessening of US-Mexico trade fears, with the FTSE 100 further boosted on Monday by a poor session for the pound on some soft UK economic growth figures.The FTSE 100 index closed up 43.60 points, or 0.6%, at 7,375.54. The FTSE 250 ended up 77.21 points, or 0.4%, at 19,309.60, and the AIM All-Share closed up 6.14, or 0.7%, at 944.57.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.7% at 12,512.55, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.6% at 17,323.30, and the Cboe Small Companies ended up 0.2% at 11,759.82.US President Donald Trump announced late Friday that the 5% tariff he threatened to impose on goods imported from Monday has been "indefinitely suspended" in return for Mexico's assurance to take strong measures to stem the tide of Migration through that country, and to US Southern Border.Mexico said it will take unprecedented steps to increase enforcement to curb irregular migration, including deploying 6,000 members of the National Guard on its southern border with Guatemala.Central American migrants trying to enter the US through Mexico is a thorny issue in relations between the two neighboring countries. In an attempt to press Mexico to stem this, Trump threatened to raise duties by 5% every month on goods including cars, beer, tequila, fruit and vegetables."With trade fears easing and growing expectations of the Fed loosening monetary policy following a terrible headline NFP figure, equity bulls are out in force," commented Fiona Cincotta at City Index.Figures on Friday showed US nonfarm payroll employment edged up in May, but fell short of market expectations, increasing the possibility of the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates later in the year.London's blue-chip index - made up of a large number of overseas earners - was also boosted as the pound declined on disappointing UK growth data. In April, the UK's economy contracted by 0.4%, following shrinkage of 0.1% in March. The Official for National Statistics said the manufacturing sector was the largest detractor, declining by 3.9% in April.In the rolling three months to April, the UK's GDP grew by 0.3% compared to 0.5% growth in the first three months of 2019.A "dramatic" fall in car production contributed to the weak data, the ONS said, with Brexit uncertainty leading to planned shutdowns.The pound was quoted at USD1.2680 at the London equities close Monday, compared to USD1.2760 at the close on Friday."We expect pressure to remain on the pound as the Conservative leadership battle heats up. With nominations formally opening today, investors will get a first look at how popular pro-Brexit candidates are. This could in fact spook investors further," said City Index's Cincotta.Conservative members of parliament to toss their hats in the ring include Dominic Raab, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt. "I'm the conviction Brexiteer with the plan, the discipline and the focus to lead us out by the end of October," Raab said in a keynote speech on Monday.Meanwhile, Gove said he would be prepared to delay Brexit beyond October 31 if negotiations with the EU on a new deal were making progress. He said that if, in those circumstances, the UK was to leave without a deal, it would lead to a Labour government.Hunt said he would be "prepared to leave without a deal" but would do so with a "heavy heart".Elsewhere, the euro stood at USD1.1311 at the European equities close Monday, against USD1.1328 at the same time on Friday.In European equities, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.3%, while markets in Germany are closed for Whit Monday.Stocks in New York were firmly in the green at the London equities close, with the Dow Jones up 0.7%, the S&P 500 index up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite 1.7% higher. While stocks globally benefited from Monday's risk-on attitude, safe haven asset gold took a hit.Gold was quoted at USD1,329.00 an ounce at the London equities close Monday against USD1,345.51 at the close on Friday.Gold miner Fresnillo tracked the price of the precious metal lower, the stock shedding 2.5%.In other commodities, Brent oil was quoted at USD62.60 a barrel at the London equities close Monday from USD62.55 late Friday.In London, miners bolstered the FTSE 100 after some upbeat export data from China. China's exports grew 1.1% in May after falling 2.7% in April, according to customs data. Analysts had expected a 3.8% decline. On the back of this, Antofagasta gained 3.7%, with Anglo American up 1.8% and Glencore up 1.6%.British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines rose marginally, up 0.4%, after reporting growth in May passenger numbers. In May, reported passenger numbers at IAG - which also operates Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus - were up 4.1% year-on-year to 10.4 million from 10.0 million. In addition, group load factor - that is, the number of passengers as a proportion of seats available - widened to 83.2% in May, compared to 82.7% the year prior. IAG added that capacity - or, available seat kilometres - rose 5.3% to 29.85 billion kilometres in May from 28.34 billion kilometres the year before. Providing a slight drag at the bottom of the index was Ferguson, down 4.7% as the heating and plumbing firm reported an easing in organic growth.Ferguson reported revenue for the three months to the end of April of USD5.27 billion, up 6.2% from USD4.97 billion reported for the same period a year prior. On an organic basis, revenue climbed 2.7%. This marked a slowing from the 6.5% organic growth reported for the first half. Trading profit, which excludes exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets, rose 2.3% to USD359 million form USD351 million year-on-year. FTSE 250-listed Woodford Patient Capital Trust, ending down 6.1%, on Monday said the performance of its investment portfolio has been unaffected by Neil Woodford's decision to suspend withdrawals from his flagship equity fund last week.Neil Woodford on June 3 suspended fund redemptions from his flagship equity income fund - the LF Woodford Equity Income Fund - as the fund's underperformance resulted in significant outflow of investors. The equity fund is managed by Woodford Investment Management, which also manages Woodford Patient Capital Trust. Since the start of 2019, Woodford Patient Capital Trust shares have slipped 28%.Elsewhere on the Main Market, shares in housebuilder MJ Gleeson dropped 11% amid the the immediate departure of Chief Executive Officer Jolyon Harrison, who joined the firm in July 2012. MJ Gleeson said Harrison stepped down due a dispute over pay and succession. The company appointed former Keepmoat Homes chief executive James Thomson as interim chief executive officer. Thomas Cook shares jumped 17% after the beleaguered travel agent confirmed it is in discussions with Fosun International over a potential offer for the Thomas Cook tour operator business. Fosun, a Hong Kong-listed company and Thomas Cook's largest shareholder with an 18% stake, has made a "preliminary approach"."There can be no certainty that this approach will result in a formal offer. However, the board will consider any potential offer alongside the other strategic options that it has, with the aim of maximising value for all its stakeholders," Thomas Cook said. In the UK corporate calendar on Tuesday, safety and hazard detection firm Halma releases annual results while housebuilders Crest Nicholson and Bellway put out interim results and a trading statement, respectively. In the economic calendar on Tuesday, UK jobs data - including average earnings and the unemployment rate - at 0930 BST. In the eurozone is investor confidence at 0930 BST and US producer prices at 1330 BST.
28 Sep 2016 09:27
