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LONDON MARKET CLOSE: FTSE 100's early gains fade as war deadline looms
- FTSE 100 closed lower by 1.1% at 10,498.09 amid caution over US-Iran ceasefire expiration.
- FTSE 250 and AIM All-Share ended slightly higher, while Cboe indices showed mixed results.
- US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a deal with Iran but ruled out extending the ceasefire.
- Brent oil prices rose to USD98.03 per barrel, with analysts predicting further volatility.
- European and US equities closed lower, with Apple down 1.9% after CEO Tim Cook's departure announcement.
- UK unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to 4.9%, while average earnings growth slowed.
- AB Foods fell 2.7% after announcing Primark demerger plans and weaker half-year results.
- Crest Nicholson plunged 35% on lowered sales and profit expectations, citing Middle East crisis impact.
- Gold prices declined to USD4,744.11 per ounce, while the pound eased against the dollar.
- Key economic data releases scheduled for Wednesday include UK inflation and eurozone consumer confidence figures.
LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Stocks move higher as ceasefire deadline looms
- European Stock Markets: Traded higher with cautious optimism, influenced by the US-Iran ceasefire deadline and Middle East tensions.
- UK Unemployment: Surprise fall to 4.9% in the three months to February, with average earnings growth slowing slightly.
- US Federal Reserve: Kevin Warsh, the next Fed chair nominee, to emphasize central bank independence and inflation control in Senate hearing.
- Commodities: Brent oil down to $94.39/barrel, gold lower at $4,785.89/ounce, reflecting optimism about Middle East ceasefire.
- Currency Movements: Pound fell to $1.3505, euro down to $1.1772, and dollar higher against yen at ¥159.20.
- Corporate News:
- AB Foods shares down 2.8% on plans to demerge Primark and lower-than-expected profits.
- THG shares up 8.0% on strong Q1 growth despite Middle East disruption.
- Crest Nicholson shares plunged 39% on reduced sales, profit, and higher debt forecasts due to Middle East crisis.
- Upcoming Events: US retail sales data at 1330 BST and Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearing at 1500 BST.
LONDON BROKER RATINGS: Barclays cuts Hunting, RBC raises Unilever
- 21st Apr 2026 09:42
- Exane BNP reinitiates Melrose Industries with 'neutral' - price target 570 pence
- RBC raises Unilever to 'sector perform' (underperform) - price target 4,200 pence
- Bernstein raises Diageo price target to 2,400 (2,340) pence - 'outperform'
- Deutsche Bank Research raises Vodafone price target to 155 (150) pence - 'buy'
- Citigroup cuts Barratt Redrow price target to 450 (490) pence - 'buy'
- Goldman Sachs cuts Barratt Redrow price target to 400 (440) pence - 'buy'
- RBC raises Standard Life price target to 870 (800) pence - 'outperform'
- JPMorgan cuts St James's Place price target to 1,686 (1,711) pence - 'overweight'
- Barclays raises Relx price target to 3,095 (3,075) pence - 'overweight'
- Barclays cuts Informa price target to 1,020 (1,040) pence - 'overweight'
- Citigroup cuts Mondi price target to 1,000 (1,030) pence - 'buy'
- Citigroup cuts International Consolidated Airlines price target to 600 (610) pence - 'buy'
- Peel Hunt raises Computacenter to 'buy' (hold) - price target 3,800 (3,160) pence
- Barclays cuts Hunting to 'underweight' (equal weight) - price target 600 (550) pence
- JPMorgan cuts Baltic Classifieds target to 178 (182) pence - 'underweight'
- JPMorgan cuts Aberdeen price target to 234 (242) pence - 'overweight'
- RBC raises Aberdeen price target to 225 (210) pence - 'sector perform'
- JPMorgan cuts Quilter price target to 206 (212) pence - 'overweight'
- Berenberg cuts S&U price target to 2,220 (2,350) pence - 'hold'
- Citigroup cuts Ryanair price target to 32 (32.50) EUR - 'buy'
LONDON MARKET OPEN: Stocks rise, British Land forecasts guidance beat
- Stock prices in London opened higher on Tuesday, influenced by UK unemployment data and anticipation of updates on the US-Iran war.
- FTSE 100 opened up 4.01 points at 10,613.09; FTSE 250 up 0.3% at 22,996.87; AIM all-share up 0.4% at 811.40.
- Geopolitical tensions: US and Iran warned of readiness for war as ceasefire deadline approached; uncertainty over talks in Pakistan.
- Brent oil slightly up at USD94.88 per barrel; gold down at USD4,788.49 per ounce.
- Experian up 1.3% after naming Adam Crozier as chair designate; British Land up 1.9% after positive trading update.
- Associated British Foods down 4.9% after announcing Primark demerger and interim dividend.
- UK unemployment rate dropped to 4.9% for the three months ended February, below expectations.
- Asian markets mostly higher: Nikkei 225 up 0.9%, Shanghai Composite up 0.1%, Hang Seng up 0.4%.
- US markets ended lower on Monday: Dow Jones down 4.87 points, S&P 500 down 0.2%, Nasdaq down 0.3%.
- Upcoming economic events: ZEW economic sentiment survey and US retail sales data.
LONDON MARKET EARLY CALL: Stocks up but US and Iran trade war warnings
- London stocks expected to open higher on Tuesday, despite geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran.
- US and Iran claim readiness for war as ceasefire deadline approaches; uncertainty over talks in Pakistan.
- Iran accuses the US of violating truce through blockade of Iranian ports and ship seizure.
- FTSE 100 futures indicate a 0.2% rise, up 16.2 points, after closing 0.6% lower on Monday.
- Brent oil slightly lower at USD94.36 per barrel early Tuesday.
- Sterling weaker against USD (USD1.3518) and EUR (EUR1.1477) early Tuesday.
- Euro and yen show mixed movements against the USD.
- US markets closed lower on Monday; Dow Jones down 4.87 points, S&P 500 down 0.2%, Nasdaq down 0.3%.
- Asian markets mostly higher on Tuesday; Nikkei up 1.2%, Shanghai Composite up 0.23 points, Hang Seng up 0.5%, S&P/ASX 200 down 0.1%.
- Gold prices lower at USD4,786.89 per ounce early Tuesday.
- Corporate calendar includes half-year results from Associated British Foods and a trading update from Rio Tinto.
- Economic calendar features UK unemployment data and eurozone ZEW economic sentiment survey.
All Market News Today 460 headlines
ATR
16:24
Schroders Investment Trusts - Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company plc
0RLW
14:31
Commerzbank AG
RAT
13:44
Rathbone Brothers PLC
