15th Apr 2026 12:15
(Alliance News) - Stock prices in Europe were mixed on Wednesday afternoon, while equities in New York are set for a tepid start, though optimism about a Middle East truce remains.
The FTSE 100 index edged up 10.73 points, 0.1%, at 10,619.79. The FTSE 250 fell 33.02 points, 0.2%, at 22,691.27, and the AIM all-share was up 6.02 points, 0.8%, at 796.59.
The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 1,059.04, the Cboe UK 250 was flat at 19,760.57, and the Cboe small companies was 0.2% higher at 17,832.35.
In Paris, the CAC 40 declined 0.6%, while the DAX 40 was flat.
"A somewhat uninspiring start to the day in Europe today, with equities largely treading water off the back of yesterday's upbeat session. The potential for a breakthrough in US-Iran talks does bring excitement for a reopening of the Straits of Hormuz, with Trump telling Fox News that 'you're going to be watching an amazing two days ahead'," Scope Markets analyst Joshua Mahony commented.
A barrel of Brent fell to USD96.11 on Wednesday from USD96.28 at the time of the London equities close on Tuesday. Gold traded at USD4,802.56 an ounce, down from USD4,806.75.
Against the dollar, sterling was down at USD1.3556 early Wednesday afternoon, from USD1.3571 late Tuesday. Versus the euro, it was largely flat at EUR1.1505 from EUR1.1503.
Against the dollar, the single currency was down at USD1.1781 from USD1.1799. Versus the yen, the buck rose to JPY158.94 from JPY158.79.
Bannockburn analyst Marc Chandler commented: "The US dollar is enjoying a firmer bias today. The Dollar Index is threatening to snap a seven-day decline. President Trump has held out the possibility that the 'war is close to over'. Yet the improved risk appetites in recent days reflects the market anticipating this. A new round of US-Iran negotiations could begin as early as tomorrow."
War in the Middle East has caused "a major supply shock", the head of the Bank of England has said, but he remained tight-lipped on what it could mean for interest rates.
However, while Governor Andrew Bailey acknowledged the Iran conflict had caused a "large" jolt to the global economy, he said the UK was much better placed to deal with it because of its resilient banking system, forged in the wake of the 2007-09 financial crisis.
Bailey was speaking before financial leaders, including UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, arrived in Washington DC for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund.
Earlier, the influential body issued a gloomy outlook which found Britain had suffered the sharpest cut to growth forecasts of the largest global economies.
The IMF said the spike in energy prices caused by the war would help push UK inflation towards 4% – double the Bank of England's inflation target – and contribute to higher costs for households.
Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to renege on a trade agreement with the UK, limiting the impact of US tariffs, as he again criticised Britain's lack of support in the Iran war.
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury narrowed to 4.25% midday Wednesday from 4.28% at the time of the London equities close on Tuesday. The 30-year yield eased to 4.87% from 4.88%.
In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are all called down 0.1%. The banking earnings season wraps up on Wednesday with numbers from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. On Thursday, eyes turn to streaming service Netflix.
In Europe, luxury retail stole the show, though for the wrong reasons. Hermes shed 9.2% and Kering slumped 10% in Paris after the duo's first quarter numbers, dragging shares in Burberry 2.3% lower in London.
Deutsche Bank analysts commented: "The fears over the Hermes business model of the attractiveness of the non-leather categories will likely resurface again.
"We still like the longer-term outlook for the company and this is likely to offer an interesting opportunity for longer-term investors."
On the FTSE 100, shares in Antofagasta were up 2.2% despite reporting a decrease in copper production. The miner maintained its annual guidance and cost targets, on the assumption that fuel prices return to January levels.
On the FTSE 250, Hollywood Bowl rose 5.0%, after the company reported 9.5% revenue growth in its first half.
The Hemel Hempstead-based ten-pin bowling centre operator said that its high gross margins insulate the company against inflationary pressures, and remains confident on its outlook for the full financial year.
At the other end of the FTSE 250, Hunting shares fell 5.2%. The supplier to the oil and gas industry announced a performance in-line with expectations for its first quarter.
Hunting retained its full year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation guidance of between USD145 million and USD155 million.
As previously reported, Hunting said its earning will be second half weighted, due to order execution and delivery timings, and said it is projecting a 40/60 split in earnings.
Elsewhere, Made Tech Group added 4.1%. The provider of digital, data and technology services to the UK public sector announced a GBP19 million deal with the Government Digital Service, part of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology.
"GDS sits at the centre of digital government, shaping common platforms, standards and ways of working that support the public, central government departments and the wider public sector. As a result, this contract further strengthens Made Tech's position at the heart of central government technology delivery and supports its wider strategic positioning across government," Made Tech said.
By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor and Joseph Rodgers, Alliance News reporter
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