FTSE opens up but investors keep watching brief on US inflation
The FTSE 100 opened up this morning as investors indulged in a little optimism ahead of US inflation figures due out this afternoon.
Global equities have had a good run over recent days with Wall St hitting record highs last night.
The flagship FTSE 100 stood at 7,144 after an hour of trading, up 0.26 per cent on last night’s close.
But the world’s eyes are on the announcement of inflation figures at 1:30pm UK time, with the last two iterations beating expectations – raising the possibility of an earlier than expected rate rise.
The DAX and CAC-40 are broadly flat in mid-morning trading.
Read more: Bank of England gives bank sector OK to dish out dividends once again
Winners and losers
Banks and miners led the charge in London this morning, with the former boosted by the Bank of England’s decision to allow them to issue dividends again.
Natwest, HSBC and Lloyds were all up by more than a percentage point in London.
Ocado and JustEat fell, however, with investors noting the UK’s continued progress along the roadmap out of pandemic restrictions.
The UK-focussed FTSE 250 was up by a quarter of a per cent too this morning.