Midday Market Snapshot

UK equity indices track lower commodity prices as news report curbs the great QE2 expectations and the dollar appreciates

Morningstar.co.uk Editors 27 October, 2010 | 12:21PM
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Market Snapshot
European shares traded lower this morning as hopes for substantial quantitative easing from the US were hit by a Wall Street Journal report, which saw the dollar appreciate and commodity prices come under pressure.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Fed “is likely to unveil a program of US Treasury bond purchases worth a few hundred billion dollars over several months, a measured approach in contrast to purchases of nearly $2 trillion it unveiled during the financial crisis.” The figures disappointed investors who had been factoring in a more substantial money injection.

Elsewhere, Asian governments continue to keep a close eye on asset flows and currency. China is making changes to how it monitors cross-boarder asset flows, South Korea is considering the reintroduction of taxes on foreign bond investors, and the Singaporean central bank pointed to the risks of capital inflows to the region and called for “close monitoring” on monetary policy.

By midday the FTSE 100 index had lost 0.4% or 23.7 points and stood at 5,684 points, and the FTSE 250 was at 10,895 points, also 0.4% or 46 points lower. Having previously depreciated on the back of substantial QE2 expectations, the US dollar recovered and in turn pushed commodity prices lower. Miners were among the biggest blue-chip fallers.

Wall Street futures point to a weaker start ahead of durable goods orders and new home sales data for September, as well as a speech from Deputy Fed Governor William C. Dudley later this evening.

Market Risers
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Barclays (BARC), Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY), up 1.2-1.8%: Bank shares buoyed by forecast-topping results from Deutsche Bank (DBK) and Nordea (NDA).

United Utilities Group (UU.), Severn Trent (SVT), Centrica (CNA), up 0.6-1.6%: Defensive stocks gain as QE2 expectations are lowered.

Essar Energy (ESSR), up 0.6%: Market responds favourably to CFO appointment for the company’s India Operations.

Market Fallers
Kazakhmys (KAZ), Xstrata (XTA), Rio Tinto (RIO), down 1.9-3.4%: Sector tracks falling commodity prices.

Whitbread (WTB), Rolls-Royce (RR), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), down 0.9-2.6%: Shares lose payout appeal as they trade ex-dividend.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

About Author

Morningstar.co.uk Editors  analyse and report on shares, funds, market developments and good investing practice for individual investors and their advisers in the UK.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures