London close: HSBC weighs on markets despite strong data

Worse-than-expected results from the FTSE 100's largest constituent, HSBC, hit markets hard on Monday though losses were limited by some strong economic data from across the globe.The FTSE 100 finished down 28 points at 6,620.Before HSBC's results were released, services data from the UK, Eurozone and China ensured a strong start for stocks this morning, as activity across all three regions picked up in July. The UK services purchasing managers' index (PMI) in particular smashed forecasts, jumping from 56.9 to 60.2 last month; this was the highest level since December 2006.The ISM non-manufacturing index in the States also came in higher than expectations, rising from 52.2 to 56, prompting a slight bounce on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trade as the index finished off its intraday low. US markets however remained firmly in the red as traders refrained from taking risk after both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 hit fresh record highs on Friday.On a similar note, analysis out this weekend by Goldman Sachs suggested that the FTSE 100 could reach an all-time high of 7,500 within 12 months' time, ahead of its previous record of 6,930 reached in December 1999. This forecast represents over 13% upside from today's closing price.FTSE 100: HSBC drops as Q2 figures fall shortBanking giant HSBC Holdings reported a 10% rise in half-year profits to $14.1bn but the share price dropped sharply after earnings fell short of the $14.6bn expected. Europe's biggest bank also posted revenue of $34.4bn, down 7.0% from the prior year, reflecting subdued economic growth in western countries and a slowdown in China.Sector peer RBS followed suit as investors were still reacting to Friday's disappointing results. A downgrade by Societe Generale to 'sell' was also weighing on the share price today. Other financials stocks were mostly lower today with Admiral, Abderdeen Asset Management and Standard Chartered registering losses.However Lloyds was bucking the trend, extending gains after impressing markets with its first-half results last week. This morning's performance have been sparked by comments from frontman António Horta-Osório who said that the bank would start paying out up to 70% of earnings in dividends within three years - Lloyds has not paid a dividend since the government bailout in 2008.Technology firm Smiths Group was extending losses made Friday when the company revealed that it had rebuffed an approach for its medical division.Mining and marketing giant Glencore Xstrata was higher on the news that it is to sell its grain-handling unit Joe White Maltings to US firm Cargill.FTSE 250: Thomas Cook jumps on dividend hopesTravel operator Thomas Cook was flying high after Citigroup raised its rating for the stock today from 'neutral' to 'buy', saying that the delivery of cost savings should "drive material upgrades to earnings". Panmure Gordon kept its 'buy' rating, saying that the company could resume dividend payments in 2015 - the last payout was in respect of the first half ended March 2011.In contrast, Domino's Pizza was heading the other way after Canaccord Genuity maintained it 'sell' stance, saying that the shares are too expensive "for a business that is now delivering forecast and balance sheet downgrades".FTSE 100 - RisersAggreko (AGK) 1,642.00p +3.47%Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,240.00p +3.25%International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 326.70p +3.06%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 75.69p +2.66%London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 1,620.00p +2.14%Diageo (DGE) 2,105.50p +1.47%Resolution Ltd. (RSL) 335.80p +1.39%Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 1,015.00p +1.30%Anglo American (AAL) 1,475.50p +1.27%Intertek Group (ITRK) 3,085.00p +1.18%FTSE 100 - FallersHSBC Holdings (HSBA) 721.70p -4.37%Admiral Group (ADM) 1,330.00p -2.49%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 317.40p -1.58%Shire Plc (SHP) 2,405.00p -1.52%Tullow Oil (TLW) 1,052.00p -1.50%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 379.80p -1.45%Bunzl (BNZL) 1,360.00p -1.38%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,524.00p -1.33%Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,273.00p -1.32%Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 483.40p -1.10%FTSE 250 - RisersThomas Cook Group (TCG) 169.90p +5.53%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 181.50p +5.03%Computacenter (CCC) 517.00p +4.78%Perform Group (PER) 520.00p +4.00%Redrow (RDW) 250.90p +3.98%Fidessa Group (FDSA) 2,090.00p +3.98%Man Group (EMG) 94.85p +3.66%WH Smith (SMWH) 829.50p +3.56%Dunelm Group (DNLM) 1,034.00p +3.50%Bellway (BWY) 1,480.00p +3.35%FTSE 250 - FallersDaejan Holdings (DJAN) 3,922.00p -4.46%Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 568.50p -3.64%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 36.31p -2.99%888 Holdings (888) 169.50p -2.87%Ladbrokes (LAD) 209.10p -2.38%Fenner (FENR) 342.70p -2.36%CSR (CSR) 524.50p -2.24%Anite (AIE) 131.00p -2.24%Unite Group (UTG) 380.00p -2.16%Alent (ALNT) 368.90p -2.15%BC