Market News Feed
AI Daily 5 entries
LONDON MARKET CLOSE: FTSE 100 falls as Hormuz uncertainty continues
- Date and Time: 13th Mar 2026, 17:15
- Market Performance:
- London stock markets closed in the red due to disappointing UK GDP data and Middle East uncertainty.
- FTSE 100 down 0.4% at 10,261.15, FTSE 250 down 0.4% at 22,071.10, AIM all-share down 1.0% at 759.38.
- Cboe UK indices also declined: Cboe UK 100 down 0.3%, Cboe UK 250 down 0.8%, Cboe small companies down 0.3%.
- Weekly performance: FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 down 1.9%, AIM all-share down 3.0%.
- European equities: CAC 40 down 0.9%, DAX 40 down 0.6%.
- US markets lower: Dow Jones down 0.1%, S&P 500 down 0.4%, Nasdaq down 0.8%.
- Economic Data:
- UK GDP showed no growth in January 2026, missing expectations of 0.2% monthly growth.
- US GDP growth slowed to 0.7% annualized in Q4 2025, down from 4.4% in Q3.
- Geopolitical Developments:
- Middle East tensions persist, with US President Trump predicting Iranian regime change but acknowledging it may not be immediate.
- European countries (France, Italy) in talks with Iran to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but no naval escorts planned.
- UK not involved in Strait of Hormuz access talks.
- Commodities:
- Brent oil rose to USD101.57 per barrel from USD98.65.
- Gold fell to USD5,043.40 per ounce from USD5,131.30.
- Currency Movements:
- Pound fell to USD1.3233 from USD1.3353.
- Euro down to USD1.1437 from USD1.1522.
- Dollar higher against yen at JPY159.58 from JPY159.21.
- Corporate Highlights:
- Admiral shares up 1.9% after RBC upgraded rating to 'outperform' and raised price target.
- Miners (Fresnillo, Antofagasta, Anglo American) weighed on FTSE 100.
- Berkeley shares down 1.5% despite reaffirming profit forecast; cautious about Middle East conflict impact.
- Trainline shares rebounded 6.9% after previous decline.
- Catenai up 14% after investing in AI firm Alludium Ltd.
- BSF Enterprise plunged 51% after terminating equity fundraise and capital reorganization.
- Upcoming Events:
- US industrial production data on Monday.
- Central bank meetings next week (US, Japan, UK, Eurozone, Canada, Switzerland) with rate holds expected.
- UK corporate results: Standard Life, Marshalls, SigmaRoc on Monday.
LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: FTSE 100 nearly flat as oil hovers near USD100
- London Stock Market:
- FTSE 100 up 0.1% at 10,316.39.
- FTSE 250 marginally higher at 22,170.80.
- AIM all-share down 0.6% at 762.11.
- Mixed performance in Cboe indices: UK 100 up 0.3%, UK 250 down 0.2%, small companies down 0.3%.
- European Equities:
- CAC 40 (Paris) down 0.2%.
- DAX 40 (Frankfurt) down 0.2%.
- Middle East Tensions:
- Fresh explosions in Tehran after Israel launched strikes against Iran.
- Debris from intercepted attack hit a building in Dubai's financial district.
- US refuelling aircraft crashed over western Iraq, not due to hostile or friendly fire.
- Oil and Energy:
- Brent oil up to USD99.20 per barrel amid Gulf tensions and Strait of Hormuz blockade threats.
- US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil at sea until April 11 to stabilize energy markets.
- UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves urged crackdown on "rip-off" fuel pricing amid Iran war concerns.
- Currency Movements:
- Pound down to USD1.3259.
- Euro down to USD1.1465.
- Dollar up to JPY159.33 against yen.
- Eurozone Economic Data:
- Industrial output fell 1.5% month-on-month in January, missing expectations.
- Germany: Wholesale prices up 0.6% month-on-month in February; corporate insolvencies rose 10% in 2025.
- France: Annual inflation accelerated to 0.9% in February.
- Corporate News:
- BP and Shell up 1.0% on elevated oil prices.
- BSF Enterprise plunged 36% after terminating equity fundraise.
- Atome rose 21% after securing funding for low-carbon fertiliser plant.
- Catenai gained 23% after investing in Alludium and extending loan note.
- US Markets:
- Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite expected to open higher.
- US 10-year Treasury yield unchanged at 4.25%; 30-year yield narrowed to 4.90%.
- Gold down to USD5,094.70 per ounce.
- Upcoming Economic Data:
- US fourth-quarter GDP, PCE index, durable goods orders, and more.
- Canadian unemployment and manufacturing sales.
- German current account figures.
LONDON BROKER RATINGS: RBC raises Admiral; UBS ups Rentokil Initial
Here is the provided text formatted as bullet points in HTML:
html
- 13th Mar 2026 09:44
- The following London-listed shares received analyst recommendations Friday morning and on Thursday:
- FTSE 100
- JPMorgan cuts Informa price target to 1,300 (1,330) pence - 'overweight'
- Bernstein cuts Informa price target to 1,060 (1,140) pence - 'outperform'
- Barclays cuts Informa price target to 1,040 (1,120) pence - 'overweight'
- Berenberg cuts Informa price target to 965 (1,030) pence - 'buy'
- Citigroup cuts easyJet price target to 540 (600) pence - 'buy'
- Goldman Sachs raises Hiscox price target to 1,745 (1,681) pence - 'buy'
- Barclays raises Centrica price target to 250 (218) pence - 'overweight'
- RBC raises Admiral to 'outperform' (sector perform) - price target 3,560 (3,100) pence
- Goldman Sachs raises Admiral price target to 3,150 (2,920) pence - 'sell'
- JPMorgan raises Legal & General price target to 285 (275) pence - 'neutral'
- JPMorgan raises Halma price target to 4,150 (4,000) pence - 'neutral'
- UBS raises Rentokil Initial to 'buy' - price target 540 pence
- BofA raises United Utilities price target to 1,500 (1,300) pence - 'buy'
- BofA raises Severn Trent price target to 3,500 (3,100) pence - 'buy'
- FTSE 250
- Deutsche Bank Research raises Bridgepoint price target to 360 (345) pence - 'buy'
- Citigroup cuts Wizz Air price target to 750 (810) pence - 'sell'
- Berenberg cuts Greggs price target to 2,090 (2,170) pence - 'buy'
- Berenberg cuts Trainline price target to 350 (500) pence - 'buy'
- JPMorgan raises Trainline price target to 235 (215) pence - 'underweight'
- Barclays cuts Trainline price target to 220 (265) pence - 'equal weight'
- Berenberg cuts Vistry price target to 500 (650) pence - 'hold'
- Citigroup raises Serco price target to 369 (324) pence - 'buy'
- Goldman Sachs cuts Pennon price target to 553 (555) pence - 'neutral'
- SMALL CAP
- Deutsche Bank Research cuts Capita to 'hold' (buy) - price target 300 (405) pence
- Berenberg starts Serica Energy with 'buy' - price target 300 pence
- Jefferies raises Sabre Insurance to 'hold' (underperform) - price target 152 (110) pence
- Related Shares:
LONDON MARKET OPEN: Shares fall as UK January GDP disappoints
- Market Open: London stock prices opened lower on Friday due to escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, and volatile oil markets.
- Indices Performance:
- FTSE 100: Down 0.7% at 10,234.86.
- FTSE 250: Down 0.7% at 22,006.61.
- AIM All-Share: Down 0.6% at 762.11.
- Cboe UK 100: Down 0.6% at 1,016.15.
- European indices (CAC 40, DAX 40): Down 1.4% and 1.3%, respectively.
- Geopolitical Developments:
- Explosions in Tehran after Israel launched strikes against Iranian targets.
- US President Donald Trump stated the US is "totally destroying" the Iranian regime.
- US refuelling plane crashed in western Iraq, not due to hostile or friendly fire.
- US temporarily allowed purchase of sanctioned Russian oil to stabilize energy markets.
- Oil Markets:
- Brent crude rose above USD100/barrel due to Gulf incidents and Iran's Strait of Hormuz blockade threat.
- US to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as militarily possible."
- Currency Movements:
- GBP: Down to USD1.3266 from USD1.3410.
- EUR: Down to USD1.1445 from USD1.1522.
- USD/JPY: Up to JPY159.42 from JPY159.21.
- UK Economic Data:
- GDP stalled in January (0% growth), missing expectations of 0.2%.
- Services output unchanged; production down 0.1%.
- Construction up 0.2% after three monthly declines.
- Trade deficit narrowed by GBP5.1 billion to GBP1.8 billion in three months to January.
- FTSE 100 Movers:
- Berkeley Group: Down 2.4% despite positive long-term outlook for London.
- BP and Shell: Up 1.7% and 0.7%, respectively, due to higher crude prices.
- Smaller Caps:
- Catenai: Up 21% after loan repayment and investment news.
- Atome Energy: Up 18% after securing financing for Paraguay fertiliser plant.
- Global Markets:
- Asian indices (Nikkei, Shanghai Composite, Hang Seng): Down 1.2%, 0.8%, and 1.0%, respectively.
- US indices (Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq): Closed down 1.6%, 1.5%, and 1.8% on Thursday.
- Commodities:
- Gold: Down to USD5,076.70/ounce from USD5,131.30.
- US Treasury yields: 10-year at 4.27%, 30-year at 4.90%.
- Upcoming Data:
- US: Core PCE index, GDP, PCE, durable goods orders.
- Eurozone: Industrial production.
- Canada: Unemployment, manufacturing sales.
- Germany: Current account figures.
LONDON MARKET EARLY CALL: FTSE 100 seen marginally up ahead of UK GDP
- London Stocks: FTSE 100 futures indicate a marginal 0.7-point (0.1%) rise to 10,305.85 at open, following a 0.5% decline on Thursday.
- Oil Prices: Brent oil hovers around USD100/barrel, trading at USD100.28 early Friday, up from USD98.65 late Thursday.
- US Policy: Treasury temporarily allows sale of Russian oil already at sea (loaded before March 12) until April 11, easing sanctions amid Middle East tensions.
- Trump Remarks: US President Trump supports surging oil prices, citing economic benefits for the US as the world's largest oil producer.
- Iran Conflict: Trump states the war against Iran is progressing rapidly, despite Tehran's defiance.
- Currency Movements: Sterling at USD1.3320 (down from USD1.3410), Euro at USD1.1493 (down from USD1.1522), Dollar at JPY159.42 (up from JPY159.21).
- UK Economic Data: GDP expected to rise 0.2% MoM in January (vs. 0.1% in December), with trade balance, industrial production, and manufacturing output also due at 0700 GMT.
- US Markets: Wall Street closed sharply lower on Thursday (Dow -1.6%, S&P 500 -1.5%, Nasdaq -1.8%).
- US Trade Ruling: No steep duties on Chinese active anode material imports after International Trade Commission vote (2-1).
- Asian Markets: Nikkei 225 (-1.1%), Shanghai Composite (-0.9%), Hang Seng (-0.9%), S&P/ASX 200 (-0.1%).
- Gold Prices: Down to USD5,093.30/ounce from USD5,131.30 on Thursday.
- Corporate Calendar: Berkeley Group trading statement, Glenveagh Properties and Stelrad Group full-year results.
- Global Economic Calendar: UK GDP, trade balance, industrial production; Germany wholesale prices, France CPI, Spain CPI, eurozone industrial production; US GDP, PCE data, durable goods orders; Canada unemployment, Germany current account.
All Market News Today 471 headlines
BLND
11:59
British Land Company PLC
