AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
.jpg)
Highlights
- FTSE100 bounced back on Wednesday morning, after two consecutive days of fall
- AstraZeneca Plc was up by over 3% after it acquired all remaining shares in rare diseases group Caelum Biosciences
FTSE100 bounced back on Wednesday after two consecutive days of fall, in the second half it was up by 0.82% at 7,085, while the mid-cap focused FTSE250 index was at 23,222, up by 0.40%. The blue-chip index was supported by gains in the AstraZeneca Plc, which was up by over 3% after it announced to have acquired all remaining shares in rare diseases group Caelum Biosciences.
Top five FTSE100 gainers
AstraZeneca plc (3.48%), Entain plc (2.42%), Next plc (2.38%), Burberry Group plc (2.18%), Anglo American plc (2.11%)
Top five FTSE100 losers
Royal Mail Plc (-7.30%), Polymetal International plc (-1.60%), United Utilities Group Plc (-1.48%), Admiral Group (-1.26%), Taylor Wimpey plc (-1.13%)
European Markets
Major European market indexes were in a jubilant mood as well, rebound from the last trading in the green. The German blue-chip DAX index is up by 0.75% at 15,362, while the benchmark index of France, CAC 40, was at 6,572, up by 1.01%. Eurozone composite index for the Business and Consumer confidence rose to 117.8 in September from 117.6 in August, boosted by positive sentiments amongst consumers and industry. Businesses and consumers also expect higher inflation due to a rebound in the economy after the pandemic and rising energy prices.
Currency Markets
The pound continues to trade lower against the dollar at 1.3460, down by 0.54%, while the EUR/ GBP currency pair traded at 0.8649, up by 0.24%. The rise in the US Treasury yield makes the dollar more attractive amongst investors compared to other currencies. Also, the energy crisis in the UK continues to put downward pressure on the pound, which was trading at its lowest levels since January.
Commodities
WTI crude oil future contract traded at USD 74.83, down by 0.68%, while the Brent crude oil trades at USD 77.74, down by 0.73%. Crude oil prices are trading lower following an unpredictable rise in the US inventories. Also, investors are concerned over the Evergrande Group crisis, which could impact China’s financial system resulting in an economic slowdown.
Meanwhile, the gold futures contract traded in the positive territory, up by 0.05% at USD 1,738 per ounce.
Asian Markets
Except for the Hong Kong stock market which closed at 24,663, up by 0.67%, major Asia Pacific indexes closed in the red. Australia’s ASX200 closed at 7,196, down by 1.08%, Nikkei 225 of Japan was down by 2.12% at 29,544. India’s Nifty 50 closed at 17,711, down by 0.21%, while Shanghai Composite of China closed at 3,536, down by 1.83%.
