LONDON MARKET EARLY CALL: FTSE Lower Ahead Of UK Lockdown Roadmap

(Alliance News) - Stock prices in London are seen opening lower on Monday ahead of UK Prime ...

Alliance News 22 February, 2021 | 7:00AM
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(Alliance News) - Stock prices in London are seen opening lower on Monday ahead of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson laying out a roadmap to exit lockdown in England and after the People's Bank of China once again left interest rates unchanged.

IG futures indicate the FTSE 100 index is to open 48.3 points lower at 6,575.72. The blue-chip index closed up 6.87 points, or 0.1%, at 6,624.02 on Friday.

UK PM Johnson will tell members of Parliament Monday that all pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well. The road map will pave the way for the first easing of restrictions since England's third national lockdown was announced on January 4.

Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person also will be permitted in a fortnight when the rules are relaxed to allow people to sit down for a drink or picnic.

However, Number 10 insisted that the "stay at home" message would remain in place despite the relaxation of some restrictions.

The pound was quoted at USD1.4013, down slightly from USD1.4020 at the London equities close Friday, though still above the USD1.40 threshold.

The euro also lost ground on the dollar over the weekend. The single currency stood at USD1.2120 early Monday from USD1.2139 at the European equities close Friday. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JPY105.67, improved from JPY105.53.

Equities in Asia were sharply lower after the country's central bank left interest rates unchanged again.

The Shanghai Composite was down 1.0%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was 0.1% lower, and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo closed up 0.5%. The S&P/ASX 200 in Sydney ended down 0.2%.

The Chinese central bank has now kept its benchmark interest rate at the same level for the tenth month in a row.

The one-year loan prime rate was held at 3.85%, the last time the rate was changed was back in April. The five-year rate also was unchanged at 4.65%.

"Mainland China markets are enduring a torrid day after the PBOC left interest rates unchanged and withdrew liquidity vis today's repo," OANDA Senior Market Analyst Jeffrey Halley commented.

Halley noted that regulators in China tightened rules about how online lenders fund their loans. The analyst commented that this could be "another blow" to Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, the financial services subsidiary of Alibaba Group.

Alibaba shares were down 1.6% in Hong Kong.

In the UK corporate calendar for Monday, there is a trading statement from Primark clothing chain owner Associated British Foods. Later in the week come results from lenders HSBC and Lloyds, IAG, and Nurofen pain killer maker Reckitt Benckiser.

Saga is in discussion with potential providers about a GBP170 million debt package, Sky News reported on Sunday, as travel and insurance group seeks to chart a course through the remainder of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Kent-based company, focused on serving the needs of those aged 50 and over, has approached a group of debt funds about refinancing part of its existing borrowings. The move came after the talks with existing lenders were some way from being concluded, according to insiders cited by Sky News, and may not result in a deal.

The news agency said Saga was considering trying to secure the new debt against its insurance arm - the stronger of its two businesses after a year in which its cruise operations have been largely dormant.

The economic calendar on Monday has the German Ifo business climate monitor at 0900 GMT.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com;

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Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd ADR 75.54 USD 0.57

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