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London stocks jump on weak pound, strong BP profits
NEW YORK, Feb 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – London’s stock market rallied Tuesday to
a new two-month peak, supercharged by a Brexit-hit pound and energy giant
BP’s surging annual profits.
The FTSE 100 index rose just over two percent, with increases in other
European indices not far behind.
Wall Street built on the previous day’s gains ahead of US President Donald
Trump’s State of the Union address.
Sterling sank on news that activity in Britain’s dominant service sector
almost ground to a halt in January, as companies fretted over the nation’s
looming departure from the European Union next month.
The weak pound boosted the FTSE 100 because the benchmark index features
large multinationals earning in dollars and euros.
“Results from BP and a weakening pound have propelled the FTSE 100 to a
fresh two-month high,” said IG analyst Chris Beauchamp.
“Equities around the world remain in robust mood,” he added.
The IHS Markit/CIPS UK services purchasing managers’ index fell to 50.1 —
its lowest level in two and a half years — down from 51.2 a month earlier. A
reading above 50 indicates growth.
Concerns about Britain’s impending departure from the European Union
dampened demand and caused firms to delay making decisions on new projects.
EU president Jean-Claude Juncker will host May for talks in Brussels on
Thursday as the two sides seek to save their Brexit deal.
– ‘Warning signs flashing’ –
Tuesday’s services data followed disappointing manufacturing and
construction numbers, with analysts declaring that warning lights were
flashing.
“A third consecutive data point from the UK in as many business days has
flashed a further warning sign for the economy,” said XTB analyst David
Cheetham.
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“The latest purchasing managers index for the service sector — which due
to its relative size is considered the most important — has fallen to its
lowest level since July 2016, the month after the EU referendum.
In company news, British energy giant BP topped the FTSE leaderboard after
revealing that annual net profit almost tripled to $9.4 billion (8.2 billion
euros) last year as oil prices soared. Shares jumped more than five percent.
Wall Street, meanwhile, enjoyed another positive day, boosted by another
good performance by large tech names and Boeing, which advanced 3.3 percent
after confirming it would lift production of its wide-body 787 aircraft to 14
per month from 12.
The gains came ahead of Trump’s big address to Congress at which the US
president is expected to emphasize infrastructure spending and argue the need
for a wall along the Mexican border after a dispute with congressional
Democrats shut the government for more than a month.
– Key figures around 2200 GMT –
New York – Dow: UP 0.7 percent at 25,411.52 (close)
New York – S&P 500: UP 0.5 percent at 2,737.70 (close)
New York – Nasdaq: UP 0.7 percent at 7,402.08 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 2.0 percent at 7,177.37 (close)
Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 1.7 percent at 11,367.98 (close)
Paris – CAC 40: UP 1.7 percent at 5,083.34 (close)
EURO STOXX 50: UP 1.6 percent at 3,215.04 (close)
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2953 from $1.3037 at 2200 GMT Monday
Euro/pound: UP at 88.02 pence from 87.74 pence
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1403 from $1.1438
Dollar/yen: UP at 109.97 yen from 109.89
Oil – Brent Crude: DOWN 53 cents at $61.98 per barrel
Oil – West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 90 cents at $53.66 per barrel
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.2 percent at 20,844.45 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: Closed for a public holiday
Shanghai – Composite: Closed for a public holiday
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