Investment accounts
Adult accounts
Child accounts
Choosing Fidelity
Choosing Fidelity
Why invest with us Current offers Fees and charges Open an account Transfer investments
Financial advice & support
Fidelity’s Services
Fidelity’s Services
Financial advice Retirement Wealth Management Investor Centre (London) Bereavement
Guidance and tools
Guidance and tools
Choosing investments Choosing accounts ISA calculator Retirement calculators
Share dealing
Choose your shares
Tools and information
Tools and information
Share prices and markets Chart and compare shares Stock market news Shareholder perks
Pensions & retirement
Pensions, tax & tools
Saving for retirement
Approaching / In retirement
Approaching / In retirement
Speak to a specialist Creating a retirement plan Taking tax-free cash Pension drawdown Annuities Investing in retirement Investment Pathways
London open: Stocks edge lower amid corporate deluge; banks rally
(Sharecast News) - London stocks edged lower in early trade on Thursday as investors waded through a raft of corporate news. At 0910 BST, the FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 7,881.71.
Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, said: "A modest decline after such a strong run indicates bulls pausing for consolidation but next couple of weeks is key really as this is hinging on global risk appetite and the Fed.
"And earnings - the next two weeks are key with a deluge of megacap tech and Dow components coming down the pipe - the banks and Netflix/Tesla have only been the appetisers; the main course is served up over the next fortnight."
In equity markets, miners were on the back foot, with Antofagasta, Anglo American and Rio Tinto all down as metals prices fell.
Rio Tinto was also in focus after it reported record first-quarter iron ore shipments from its Plibara operations in Western Australia as China ramped up steel production, but cut copper output guidance due to issues at its US Kennecott and Chilean Escondida operations.
Elsewhere, WH Smith lost ground even as the retailer hailed a "strong" first-half performance, ahead of its expectations, as the travel segment benefited from a significant recovery in passenger numbers.
On the upside, banks rallied as Wednesday's hotter-than-expected UK inflation print raised rate hike expectations, with Barclays, NatWest, HSBC and Lloyds all up.
Real estate investment trust Segro gained after saying 2023 had got off to strong start, boosted by solid occupier demand and limited supply.
Consumer healthcare giant Haleon rose as it posted first-quarter sales ahead of expectations, boosted by a strong cold and flu season.
Investment platform operator AJ Bell was trading up even as it said that inflows had decreased in the three months ended 31 March despite seeing customer numbers grow during the period.
Iron ore pellet maker Ferrexpo advanced after it said Ukraine's Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the company in a dispute over a share deal.
Share this article
Related Sharecast Articles
Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Award-winning online share dealing
Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.
Expert insights into investing your money
Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.
Policies and important information
Accessibility | Conflicts of interest statement | Consumer Duty Target Market | Consumer Duty Value Assessment Statement | Cookie policy | Diversity and Inclusion | Doing Business with Fidelity | Fidelity gender pay report | Investing in Fidelity funds | Legal information | Modern slavery | Mutual respect policy | Privacy statement | Remuneration policy | Security | Statutory and Regulatory disclosures | Whistleblowing policy
Please remember that past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance, the performance of investments is not guaranteed, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. When investments have particular tax features, these will depend on your personal circumstances and tax rules may change in the future. This website does not contain any personal recommendations for a particular course of action, service or product. You should regularly review your investment objectives and choices and, if you are unsure whether an investment is suitable for you, you should contact an authorised financial adviser. Before opening an account, please read the ‘Doing Business with Fidelity’ document which incorporates our client terms. Prior to investing into a fund, please read the relevant key information document which contains important information about the fund.
This website is issued by Financial Administration Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (FCA Register number 122169) and registered in England and Wales under company number 1629709 whose registered address is Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 6RP.
