TED.L Share News (TED)

(Alliance News) - London stocks were enjoying another session in the green on Tuesday as the anticipation of lower interest rates in the US fuelled buying. The FTSE 100 index climbed amid gains for miners while the FTSE 250 lagged behind, bogged down by a 26% share price plummet for retailer Ted Baker in the wake of a profit warning.It also was a positive session for the pound, which trudged higher on the back of a solid monthly UK jobs report. The FTSE 100 was up 34.51 points, or 0.5%, at 7,410.05 on Tuesday at midday. The FTSE 250 was up just 8.06 points at 19,317.66, while the AIM All-Share was up 0.2% at 944.75.The Cboe UK 100 index was up 0.4% at 12,563.35. The Cboe UK 250 was up 0.1% at 17,332.70 with the Cboe UK Small Companies down 0.1% at 11,753.83.In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.8% while the DAX 30 in Frankfurt was 1.3% higher as markets in Germany re-opened from the Whit Monday holiday."The stock market run looks set to continue on Tuesday, with Europe trading comfortably in positive territory and US futures signalling a similar session on Wall Street," said Craig Erlam at Oanda."Safe to say, the changing expectations for interest rates is the primary reason for such a strong rebound in the markets that didn't look particularly likely at the start of last week," said Erlam. "Of course, should the G20 meeting between Trump and Xi at the end of the month reach a successful conclusion, that balance may shift while also likely being favourable for stock markets."Weak US jobs data at the end of last week fuelled anticipation of a rate cut this year, with the Labor Department reporting nonfarm payroll employment rose by 75,000 in May. This increase was significantly below market expectations. The figures followed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hinting that the central bank is open to a rate cut, as he pledged the Fed will take appropriate action to sustain US economic expansion. Powell's comments came after St Louis Fed President James Bullard suggested in a speech on Monday last week that an interest rate cut "may be warranted soon".Turning to the UK on Tuesday, the pound was buoyant after positive employment figures. Including bonuses, average weekly earnings in the UK rose 3.1% year-on-year in the three months to April, slower than the revised 3.3% growth for the three months to March but above market forecasts, as cited by FXStreet, of a 3.0% rise. Excluding bonuses, earnings were up 3.4%, above consensus of 3.1% and faster than March's 3.3% advance.The unemployment rate was 3.8%, in line with the month before and remaining at the lowest figure since 1974. The employment rate was estimated at 76.1%, higher than 75.6% a year earlier and the joint-highest figure on record."At a time when the economy is slow, global risks are building and Brexit is unresolved, this data is quite remarkable and very encouraging," said Oanda's Erlam.Sterling was quoted at USD1.2715 at midday, up from USD1.2680 late Monday.In New Yorks, stocks are set to continue to gains of the previous session, with the Dow Industrials and S&P 500 pointed up 0.5% and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.7%. In the US economic calendar are producer prices at 1330 BST with the Redbook index at 1355 BST.In London, miners were higher on the prospect of stimulus in China. Antofagasta was up 2.9%, Anglo American up 2.6%, BHP Group up 2.5% and Glencore up 2.4%."Expectations for greater infrastructure spend naturally gave a lift to natural resources stocks on the UK market as investors bet on increased commodities demand," said Russ Mould at AJ Bell.Also among the blue-chip risers was safety and hazard detection firm Halma, up 2.1%.The FTSE 100 constituent reported revenue growth of 13% in the year to the end of March to GBP1.21 billion from GBP1.08 billion a year before, in line with market expectations. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue climbed by 10%.On an adjusted basis, pretax profit increased by 15% to GBP245.7 million, ahead of analysts' expectations of GBP243.1 million and within Halma's guidance range of between GBP240.1 million and GBP253.4 million.Halma declared a final dividend of 9.60 pence a share, up 7% from 8.97p paid the year prior, taking the total payout to 15.71p, also up 7% year-on-year.Compass dipped 1.1% after agreeing to buy Nordic firm Fazer Food Services for an enterprise value of EUR475 million. Over the twelve-month period to the end of April, Fazer generated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of EUR39.8 million on revenue of EUR593.0 million.While the FTSE 100 climbed, the mid-cap FTSE 250 struggled to keep up, amid a 26% share price slump for fashion firm Ted Baker. Ted Baker said it now anticipates underlying pretax profit for the year ending January 25 to be in the range of GBP50 million to GBP60 million. In its previous financial year, which ended on January 26, Ted Baker reported pretax profit before exceptional items of GBP63.0 million. The high-end clothing seller said its performance in the 19 weeks from January 27 to Saturday last week reflected "difficult and unpredictable" trading conditions, unseasonable weather experienced across North America, and a highly promotional retail environment.Total retail sales, including e-commerce, decreased by 0.3% during the 19-week period, or by 1.8% in constant currency, despite average retail square footage rising by 5.3% to 443,036 square feet.Meanwhile, Saga advanced 3.9% after the over-50s insurance and holiday services provider said it has linked up with the consumer banking unit of Goldman Sachs to launch a new savings products in the UK.Saga said Marcus by Goldman Sachs will become Saga's new long-term savings partner. Together, the companies plan to launch new new products from autumn 2019.