Stocks in London rebounded on Wednesday, as a risk-on mood returned following the latest comments from the Bank of Japan.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 140.19 points, 1.8%, at 8,166.88. The large-cap index is down just 0.1% so far this week, despite Monday’s 2.0% slide.
The FTSE 250 rose 208.33 points, 1.0%, at 20,576.03, and the AIM All-Share closed up 7.65 points, 1.0%, at 767.32.
The Cboe UK 100 ended up 1.8% at 814.85, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.2% at 18,040.56, and the Cboe Small Companies added 0.6% at 16,775.06.
In European equities on Wednesday, the CAC 40 in Paris jumped 1.9%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt rose 1.5%.
Amid the rising market confidence, gains on the FTSE 100 were broad-based.
Gambling firm Entain, lender NatWest, and miner Glencore were among the better performers, rising 3.9%, 3.6%, and 2.8%.
Glencore said it had decided to retain its carbon-emitting business following ‘extensive’ consultation with shareholders.
This means that spinning off its coal asset is ruled out, for now. Glencore faced tough questions around its coal operations after sealing its acquisition of a 77% interest in Elk Valley Resources last month.
The miner has said Elk Valley Resources will further support its position as one of the largest diversified miners and suppliers of critical minerals in Canada.
Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP¥147.40 at the time of the London equities close on Wednesday, higher from JP¥144.70 a day prior. The pound was quoted at $1.2723, up compared to $1.2711. The euro stood at $1.0934, up against $1.0930.
Aiding Wednesday’s risk-on mood, the BoJ’s deputy governor said that officials would stick to their ultra-loose monetary policies given market volatility, sparking a big drop in the yen, while stocks rose.
In a speech on Wednesday morning, BoJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida took a more dovish stance.
‘I believe that the Bank needs to maintain monetary easing with the current policy interest rate for the time being, with developments in financial and capital markets at home and abroad being extremely volatile,’ he said.
Equities in Tokyo bore the brunt of Monday’s sell-off, tumbling 12%.
In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, the S&P 500 added 1.3% and the Nasdaq Composite shot up 1.6%.
Walt Disney shares fell 1.8%. It raised its annual guidance, as its streaming businesses turned profitable ahead of schedule in its recent quarter. It cautioned on a tough outlook for its resorts, however.
In Disney’s financial third quarter, which ended June 30, revenue rose 3.7% year-on-year to $23.16 billion from $22.33 billion.
Net profit attributable to Disney was $2.62 billion, swinging from a $460 million loss a year before. Diluted earnings per share were $1.43, swung from a $0.25 loss.
Disney achieved profitability in its combined streaming businesses for the first time, one quarter ahead of schedule. It expects profit within its combined streaming business to improve in its final quarter, with both Entertainment DTC and ESPN+ expected to be profitable. It expects Disney+ Core subscribers to grow modestly.
However, it cautioned on a moderation in domestic consumer demand at its Experiences business, which houses the Disney theme parks and resorts. It warned this could harm the next few quarters, expecting fourth-quarter operating income to fall in mid-single digits from the prior year. The current quarter will be hit by lower consumer travel to Paris - where Disneyland Paris is located - due to the Olympics, and some ‘cyclical softening’ in China.
In Copenhagen, Nordisk slumped 6.7%.
‘Second-quarter results from the maker of diabetes and obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, showed some of the challenges the big winner to date in the burgeoning weight loss market is facing,’ AJ Bell analyst Russ Mould commented.
‘Profit and sales came in below forecasts and there were mixed changes to guidance, with the sales outlook modestly improved but profit somewhat light of expectations. Any market with this kind of potential is likely to attract competition, although the only other heavyweight player on the field for now is Eli Lilly. It will take time for other rivals to catch up given the development timeframes associated with new drugs.’
Back in London, TP ICAP rose 7.8%. It reported a surge in interim profit and said it plans a share buyback and is considering a separate listing for its Parameta Solutions arm, though eyeing New York rather than London for this.
The London-based interdealer broker connects clients in wholesale financial markets.
Pretax profit surged 32% to £120 million in the first half of 2024 from £91 million a year before.
Revenue edged up to £1.14 billion from £1.13 billion a year earlier. Within this, the Liquidnet and Energy & Commodities businesses led, with revenue in both up 8%.
‘As ever, our second half outlook is largely subject to market conditions. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty should continue to drive volatility that is supportive for Global Broking and Energy & Commodities, while the prospect of some interest rate reductions should be positive for Liquidnet. Parameta Solutions will continue to benefit from the growing demand for OTC pricing data,’ TP ICAP added.
Parameta Solutions provides over-the-counter financial data and analytics to institutional clients.
‘We are progressing strategic options in relation to Parameta Solutions, as previously announced. They include a potential offering, which might entail a listing in the United States, with the group maintaining a majority stake,’ said Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Breteau.
‘There is, of course, no certainty about either a public offering or its location. We will update on progress, as and when appropriate.’
On AIM, Samuel Heath & Sons jumped 12%.
The shower and bathroom accessory manufacturer reported that revenue rose to £15.2 million in the financial year ended March 31, up from £14.7 million a year earlier.
Pretax profit fell to £884,000 from £1.1 million. It explained that profit fell as cost of sales, selling & distribution costs, and administrative expenses rose.
‘Although we have seen a good start to the new financial year, we are mindful of our customers’ concerns and are budgeting cautiously, while allowing sufficient flexibility should trade remain consistently positive,’ said Non-Executive Chair Anthony Buttanshaw.
‘Recruitment has been less difficult than in 2023 and we are pleased to welcome a number of highly skilled new colleagues to the company.’
Brent oil was quoted at $78.64 a barrel at the time of the London equities close on Wednesday, up from $76.46 late Tuesday. Gold was quoted at $2,399.30 an ounce, higher than $2,386.99.
Thursday’s UK corporate calendar has half-year results from insurer Beazley and housebuilder Persimmon.
The economic calendar has a US initial jobless claims reading at 1330 BST.
Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
