Listen to our latest Investing Matters Podcast episode 'Uncovering opportunities with investment trusts' with The AIC's Richard Stone here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

UPDATE 2-Election takes edge off stocks with biggest British exposure

Wed, 11th Dec 2019 09:44

* FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 down 0.6%

* JD Sports biggest faller on FTSE 100

* UK-exposed stocks fall on both indexes

* Dollar earners among top gainers on main bourse
(Adds news items, updates share moves)

By Muvija M and Shashwat Awasthi

Dec 11 (Reuters) - Stocks most exposed to the British
economy slipped on Wednesday on growing expectations of a close
election outcome, while JD Sports dropped 10% after its
top investor cut its stake.

The mid-cap bourse, whose constituents make half of
their earnings from business in Britain, closed 0.6% lower after
dropping nearly 2% during the day.

The index has gained about 3% and outperformed blue chips
since lawmakers voted in favour of an election, which pollsters
YouGov predicted would result in a 28-seat Conservative win when
the votes are counted on Thursday.

"An unstable Tory majority could see Johnson having to offer
a second referendum to get his withdrawal agreement through
Parliament," analysts at investment bank Jefferies said.

The exporter-heavy FTSE 100 ended flat as gains due
to a weakening of the pound were offset by steep losses in oil
firms after a surprise build-up of U.S. crude inventories.

The index missed out on a wider equity market rise as
expectations that Washington would delay the Dec. 15 deadline
for a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods grew.

Stocks considered most vulnerable to any shocks that may
arise from Britain leaving the European Union weakened.

Lloyds, Britain's biggest mortgage lender, fell
nearly 2%, while retailers Morrisons and Sainsbury's
were down 2% and 1.4%, respectively.

An index of housebuilders dropped as much as
1.4%.

Investors were also awaiting a statement from a U.S. Federal
Reserve rate-setting meeting to gauge the outlook for the
world's largest economy amid a prolonged trade war with China.

Corporate headlines drove some moves.

Fashion retailer JD Sports, the FTSE's best performer this
year, had its worst day in more than three years after Pentland
sold 24 million shares at a discount.

Stagecoach jumped 9% to be among FTSE 250's top
gainers after the transport company said half-year earnings in
its London bus division was ahead of expectations.

Among smaller companies, roadside assistance provider AA
surged 16% on buyback plans, while Petra Diamonds
climbed 5% after restarting mining operations in South
Africa.

(Reporting by Muvija M and Shashwat Awashti in Bengaluru;
Editing by Arun Koyyur and Alexander Smith)

Related Shares

More News
20 Jun 2024 17:08

Fnality to seek Bank of England permission for intraday repo settlement

LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) - Payments firm Fnality and fintech HQLAX said on Tuesday it would launch a new service by the end of the year for banks t...

18 Jun 2024 09:00

Fnality seeks Bank of England permission for intraday repo settlement

LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) - Payments firm Fnality and fintech HQLAX said on Tuesday they would launch a new service by year end for banks to slash t...

17 Jun 2024 22:30

UK's Labour pledges to plug gaps left by bank branch closures

LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - Britain's Labour Party said on Monday it would give regulators new powers to significantly increase the number of 'banki...

17 Jun 2024 11:23

Home REIT board to consider "more extensive realisation strategy"

(Alliance News) - Home REIT PLC on Monday said it will seek alternative funding sources after it failed to secure a refinancing of an existing loan.

17 Jun 2024 09:33

LONDON BROKER RATINGS: Goldman Sachs cuts SSP Group to 'sell'

(Alliance News) - The following London-listed shares received analyst recommendations Monday morning and on Friday:

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.