4th Dec 2024 17:17
(Alliance News) - Stocks in London ended mixed on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 held back by falls in AstraZeneca plus uninspiring data, while mid-caps prospered amid rate cut hopes.
The FTSE 100 index fell 23.60 points, 0.3%, at 8,335.81. The FTSE 250 ended up 112.41 points, 0.5%, at 21,005.15, and the AIM All-Share rose 3.13 points, 0.4%, at 738.22.
The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.4% at 836.98, the Cboe UK 250 advanced 0.6% at 18,499.13, and the Cboe Small Companies gained 0.3% to 16,014.54.
In Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.7%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt advanced 1.1%, hitting new highs once more.
Markets prospered despite the uncertainty hanging over the French government. France's government faces a no-confidence vote that could spell the end of Prime Minister Michel Barnier's administration, plunging the country into uncharted waters.
The toppling of the Barnier government after just three months in office would present President Emmanuel Macron with the unenviable choice of picking a viable successor with over two years of his presidential term left.
The National Assembly lower house is debating two motions brought by the hard left and the far right in a standoff over next year's austerity budget, after the prime minister on Monday forced through a social security financing bill without a vote.
During the debate leader of the far right Marine Le Pen said: "To those who think I’m intent on choosing a policy of disaster through a vote of no confidence, I want to tell them that the disastrous policy would be not to censure such a budget, such a government".
In New York, markets pushed ahead. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.5% at the time of London's close, the S&P was 0.4% higher, while the Nasdaq 0.9% to the good.
Investors were digesting a raft of data ahead of Friday's nonfarm payrolls report.
Figures from ADP showed the US private sector economy added fewer jobs than expected.
Private sector employment rose by 146,000 jobs in November, ADP said, easing from 184,000 in October. October's reading was downwardly revised from 233,000.
The latest reading fell short of the FXStreet cited consensus of 150,000.
Meanwhile, two reports showed the US service sector expanded at a slower pace in November, missing market expectations.
Nonetheless, the service sector strength helped offset a further decline in manufacturing driving an increase in overall US private sector activity.
The S&P Global US Composite PMI Output Index rose to a 31-month high of 54.9 in November from 54.1 in October. The latest reading signalled a marked monthly increase in output. The overall expansion continued to be driven by services, while manufacturing output decreased again.
The figure was however, below FXStreet consensus of 55.3.
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global US Services PMI Business Activity Index rose to 56.1 in November, up from 55.0 and above the 50.0 neutral mark for the twenty-second consecutive month. FXStreet consensus had forecast an improvement to 57.0.
A separate report from the Institute for Supply Management showed economic activity in the services sector expanded for the fifth consecutive month in November, but at a much slower rate than October.
The services PMI registered 52.1 in November, down from 56.0 in October, and below FXStreet consensus of 55.5.
The pound was quoted at USD1.2717 late on Wednesday afternoon in London, up from USD1.2660 at the time of the European equities close on Tuesday. The euro stood at USD1.0536, up from USD1.0513.
Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JPY150.06, rising from JPY149.44.
Back in London and the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told the Financial Times he expects four interest rate cuts next year if its outlook for the UK economy bears out.
Speaking to the FT’s Global Boardroom conference, the BoE governor said consumer price inflation had fallen more rapidly than policymakers expected a year ago.
When asked about investor expectations, built into its November economic forecast, of four quarter-point cuts in the next year, Bailey said: "We always condition what we publish in terms of the projection on market rates, and so as you rightly say, that was effectively the view the market had."
Asked if, under the BoE’s central forecast for 2025, the MPC would carry out about four interest rate cuts, Bailey said "Yup."
Bailey's comments lifted rate sensitive housebuilders. Vistry rose 4.4%, Persimmon climbed 2.5% and Barratt Redrow firmed 1.7%.
Data showed the UK service sector saw growth ease to the most tepid pace for around a year, amid worries about tax hikes delivered in the October budget.
The S&P Global services purchasing managers' index fell to 50.8 points in November, from 52.0 in October. Moving closer to the 50 point no change mark, the data suggests growth eased. It was still loftier than the flash estimate, which put the PMI at the 50 point neutral threshold.
November's PMI reading was the weakest in 13 months.
On the FTSE 100, Legal & General shares rose 5.7%, as it set out a decent outlook for a unit and suggested returns could be on the way for shareholders. The life insurer expects mid-single digit growth in operating profit for 2024, in line with guidance. Thereafter, it expects to achieve its 6% to 9% compound annual growth target in core operating earnings per share between 2024 and 2027.
The update came ahead of a "deep dive" into its Institutional Retirement division, the first in a series of events which will cover all its units.
"The global pension risk transfer market is growing and attractive and the group is well-positioned to continue to seize the opportunity," L&G said.
British Airways owner, IAG, was also in demand, climbing 4.3%.
JPMorgan named IAG among its picks in the travel sector for 2025, saying the shares are undervalued and offer the potential for more buybacks.
The broker added IAG to its 'analyst focus list' and placed it on 'positive catalyst watch' while retaining an 'overweight' rating.
Bank of America joined in the chorus of approval.
"IAG is one of our '25 stocks for 2025' and we add it to our Europe 1 list of top ideas. IAG shares are up 68% [year-to-date] driven by consecutive earnings beats supporting the introduction of dividends and share buybacks. Nevertheless, we believe IAG's strong brand portfolio and geographical positioning, combined with its cost control history, remain underappreciated."
BofA increased its share price target to 370 pence each from 300p and reiterated a 'buy' rating.
On Tuesday, Morgan Stanley made IAG a pick for next year.
But AstraZeneca fell 3.2% holding back the blue-chip index.
Elsewhere in London, Learning Technologies added 6.7% as it backed a GBP802 million takeover from a private equity firm.
The London-based digital learning and talent management firm will be bought out by GASC ABF LP and some of its managed or advised funds, a grouping collectively referred to as General Atlantic.
General Atlantic will pay 100 pence in cash per Learning Technologies share, a 34% premium to the 74.9p share price on September 26, the day before the private equity suitor's interest was revealed.
The bid gives Learning Technologies a GBP802.4 million equity value.
Brent oil was quoted at USD73.20 a barrel late Wednesday afternoon, down from USD73.67 at the time of the London equities close on Tuesday.
Gold rose to USD2,653.48 an ounce compared with USD2,644.88 on Tuesday.
Thursday's global economic diary sees a slew of construction PMI figures and US weekly jobless claims data.
Thursday's local corporate calendar sees half-year results from packaging group DS Smith and Sports Direct owner Frasers.
By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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