10th Dec 2025 12:06
(Alliance News) - Stock prices in London were mixed at midday on Wednesday, as the US Federal Reserve rate call approaches with a quarter-point cut anticipated.
"Markets were in a holding pattern ahead of the Fed's interest rate decision later today," said AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth. "A quarter point rate cut is widely expected, but more interesting to the market will be commentary on the direction of rates in 2026. There have been conflicting signals from the Fed about monetary policy and markets are keen to see if there is more joined up thinking from the central bank."
The FTSE 100 index was up 21.58 points, 0.2%, at 9,663.59. The FTSE 250 was down 11.27 points, 0.1%, at 21,897.85, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.66 points, 0.1%, at 749.24.
The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 969.07, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.2% at 19,024.01, and the Cboe Small Companies was down 0.1% at 17,528.28.
Berkeley Group was the third-highest FTSE 100 stock, up 2.5% after reporting decreased revenue and profit with no dividend, but standing by its full-year guidance.
Back in September, the company had announced that it completed its 2011 shareholder returns programme, amid a focus on its Berkeley 2035 strategy which it launched in December 2024. Berkeley had said it will make shareholder returns via a combination of share buybacks and dividends under a "flexible capital allocation model".
"It's no secret that the run-up to the budget had a chilling effect on property transactions and that's evident in Berkeley's first-half results," commented AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth. "However, the company's relatively bright tone on the longer-term outlook and a reiteration of full-year guidance has received a positive reception from investors."
On AIM, Everyman Media shares dropped 24% after it cut its full-year forecasts.
The London-based premium cinema chain said it expects revenue to be no less than GBP114.5 million and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to be no less than GBP16.8 million for the year ending January 1. While this would be an increase on last year's results of GBP107.2 million in revenue and Ebitda of GBP16.2 million, this is less than previously forecasted.
The company said it is "operating in a challenging economic environment" with recent UK box office performance "weaker than anticipated".
Industry data indicated that UK box office revenue in October was down 9% year-on-year, and as much as 33% lower in November, as reported by PA.
"There is only so much a cinema operator can do in this situation," Coatsworth commented. "Some might slash prices to put bums on seats; others might accelerate refurbishment plans to make their sites more appealing." He added: "Should Netflix manage to fight off Paramount in the bid for Warner Bros then it's inevitable that more big titles go straight to streaming.
"The cinema industry is not going to disappear completely, but its trials and tribulations are getting worse. This is evident in Everyman's deteriorating share price which tells the story of a business losing fans left, right and centre."
Everyman's stock has fallen by 77% over the last five years.
In European equities on Wednesday, the CAC 40 in Paris was down 0.4%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was down 0.5%.
The pound was quoted lower at USD1.3303 at midday on Wednesday in London, compared to USD1.3331 at the equities close on Tuesday. The euro stood lower at USD.1633, against USD1.1637. Against the yen, the dollar was trading lower at JPY156.75 compared to JPY156.90.
Stocks in New York were called lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was called down 0.1%, the S&P 500 index down 3.00 points, and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.1%.
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury was quoted at 4.20%, widening from 4.18%. The yield on the US 30-year Treasury was quoted at 4.81%, widening from 4.80%.
Brent oil was quoted higher at USD62.15 a barrel at midday in London on Wednesday from USD61.98 late Tuesday.
Gold was quoted lower at USD4,196.62 an ounce against USD4,214.16.
Still to come on Wednesday's economic calendar, the US has several other releases, including EIA crude oil stocks and the employment cost index.
Canada, meanwhile, also has its interest rate decision and the subsequent Bank of Canada press conference.
By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Berkeley GroupEveryman Media