The FTSE 100 is up 0.4% on Monday morning, with the FTSE 250 trading 0.3% higher, following a bounce in Asian stocks overnight. The DAX gained 0.6%, the CAC 40 0.7% and the Stoxx 50 0.8%.
Markets may be cautious, though. Investors are mulling Nvidia’s independent investigation into claims that chief executive Jensen Huang had an affair with a suspected Chinese spy.
The board’s independent committee is investigating. Nvidia said it has no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised. Axios reported Huang apologised in a staff memo.
FTSE 100 movers
Miners lead, with Antofagasta up 3.57% to 3,226p and Endeavour gaining 3.47% to 4,233p. Higher metals prices have helped, with spot gold up 0.7% to $4,097.
Meanwhile, IAG climbed 2.93% to 446.35p, with Coca-Cola HBC falling 1.77% to 4,114p, Barratt Redrow down 1.05% to 329.20p and LSEG dropping 0.78% to 9,389p.
FTSE 250 movers
TBC Bank rose 4.61% to 5,087.5p, Applied Nutrition 4.31% to 304.25p and Meridian Mining 4.17% to 90.10p.
Kainos has tumbled 9.19% to 1,115p after interim results. Revenue rose 37% to £268.8m and adjusted pre-tax profit 30% to £41.7m. Guidance is “in line with current market expectations”. The company gave no reason for the fall.
Oil and sterling
Brent fell 1.8% to $96.55 (January) and WTI fell 1.2% to $89.74 (December). The dip comes as Donald Trump told CNN that renewed strikes are “highly unlikely” while talks continue.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said talks are not “at the verge of a breakthrough”. Trump says the land blockade, Task Force Iron Gate, is in force. Iran says low-intensity attacks continue. Trump meets Qatar’s prime minister today.
Sterling rose 0.5% to $1.3410.
Other updates
- LSEG mandated banks for a possible sterling three-year bond.
- Meridian Mining said Brazil’s Cabaçal copper-gold project entered pre-construction; AFRY won the EPCM contract.
- Invesco Asia Dragon’s 4.8p third interim dividend goes ex-dividend on 17 December.
AskTraders Stocks to Watch Today
Disclaimer: These picks are AI-generated and for information only. They are not investment advice. Capital is at risk, and you should do your own research before trading.
Breadth is thin. These three FTSE 100 names have held up better on price momentum.
SSE (LSE: SSE) is the only pick close to its high. It closed Friday at 2,649p, up 7.9% over four weeks and 4.3% below its 52-week peak.
AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) rose 16.1% over four weeks to 13,930p. It remains 11.5% below its February high, so this is a recovery rather than a breakout.
RELX (LSE: REL) gained 17.3% over the same period to 3,016p. It sits 12.5% under its December high.