The FTSE Finish Line - August 09 - 2024

FTSE A Whipsaw Week Nearing Unchanged On The Week

London's FTSE 100 is flat on Friday as industrial metal miners continued bolstered recovery and better-than-expected U.S. jobs data dispelled concerns about a recession in the world's largest economy. The benchmark FTSE 100 index had a 0.06% increase. For the second consecutive week, the FTSE is expected to report weekly falls, but has staged a strong rebound to get close to unchanged on the week.

Weekly U.S. unemployment claims declined more than anticipated on Thursday, according to data, indicating that concerns about the labor market's ability to collapse were exaggerated and that some concerns about a possible U.S. recession have been allayed. A severe sell-off throughout global markets occurred on Monday as a result of Japan's currency carry trade unwinding and weak economic data from last week that heightened fears of a U.S. recession.

Industrial metal miners led gains in London on Friday, jumping 1.9%, as base metals and copper prices increased on expectations of rate cuts as well as better-than-expected U.S. data. Real estate sectors and MET/L Rate sensitive real estate investment trusts both saw 1% increases. 

The stock of investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown increased 2.2%. Among the best performers on the FTSE 100 index, which rose by 0.3%, was the stock. The corporation has consented to an acquisition by a group headed by CVC Capital Partners for £5.44 billion ($6.95 billion). Cash payments of 1,140 pence per share to shareholders of Hargreaves Lansdown constitute a 5.8% premium to the closing price of the company's shares. This purchase, which is a part of the ongoing wave of takeovers of British companies, is the second-largest by value for a London-listed corporation this year. The stock had increased 46.80% year to date as of the most recent close.

Bellway's shares rise 2.6%, leading the FTSE 250 index. The British housebuilder reports a smaller-than-expected drop in annual revenue, and says buyer confidence is improving due to lower mortgage rates. The company's forward order book stands at £1.41 billion, up from £1.19 billion a year ago, indicating stronger demand. Analysts expect the company's performance to improve in the next fiscal year, assuming the market remains stable.

A wealth of inflation data from the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as data on Britain's gross domestic product, are anticipated by investors for next week.

Technical & Trade View

FTSE Bias: Bullish Above Bearish below 8225

  • Primary resistance 8400

  • Primary objective 7750

  • Daily  VWAP Bullish

  • Weekly VWAP Bearish