FTSE 100 to stage a mini-rally after brutal sell-off on second lockdown fears
The FTSE 100 is expected to stage a mini-rally this morning after a brutal Monday saw stock markets tumble across the world.
The blue-chip UK index is expected to rise 37.0 points to 5803.0, according to Bloomberg data. Markets in France and Germany are also forecast to rise.
That would represent a small bounceback after yesterday say £50 billion wiped off UK shares, with airlines, travel firms, hotel and pub companies the worst hit as the Footsie fell 3.4%.
News that a UK-wide 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants could be on the way was enough to spook investors, and globally worries that major economies could be forced into a second Covid lockdown hit markets across the world.
Airlines, hotels and pubs bore the brunt of the selloffs and could see some rebounds today. The Restaurant Group, owner of Wagamama, fell nearly 18%, while Marston's pubs lost 16% and British Airways owner IAG 12%, so some investors may see that as a buying opportunity.
HSBC, a heavyweight in the FTSE-100 Index, fell more than the rest of the banks as the global economic worries that hit its peers were added to by new allegations of moneylaundering, sending them down more than 5%. They could stage the biggest rebound today in the financials sector.
Stocks also fell in the US, Paris, Frankfurt and Madrid yesterday and the selling continued overnight, with bourses in South Korea, Hong Kong and China also seeing loses. Among the biggest losers were mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto, which both saw shares fall around 2%.
The slight rise in the FTSE 100 may well represent investors pausing for breath, as the UK picture becomes clearer – in theory – through a speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to parliament later outlining the latest restrictions.
Traders will also be watching Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey’s conversation in a webinar hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce. The Bank last week said it is looking at the practicalities of negative interest rates, so any hints this is progressing could be a cue to sell.
CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson observes: “There is increasing unease amongst an ever-widening cohort of people about the wisdom of going down a path that has seen zero evidence of being in any way useful, when it comes to supporting the economy.”
In corporate trading, two giants which have endured differing fortunes are set to update the market. B&Q owner Kingfisher initially suffered in the lockdown, voluntarily shutting all of its stores to install social distancing measures. Then on reopening it saw huge demand as bored Britons focused on fixing up their homes and gardens while stuck at home.
The shares hit their lowest level since 2009 but have rallied back somewhat since and first-half results should give an insight into recent trading today.
Meanwhile travel specialist Tui will also update, amid a crisis in the holidays industry. Any late summer holidays rush has been tempered by the long lockdown and threat of further restrictions. There has been talk of a rights issue at the Anglo-Germna company and German reports last week suggested the raise could be as much as £900 million to shore up the balance sheet of Europe’s largest tour operator.
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