Markets: FTSE shrugs off the Greek election result
The FTSE 100 shrugged off the win for the anti-austerity party, Syriza, in Greece to climb 19 points higher to 6,852.
FTSE 100 up 0.3% to 6,852 Gold up 1.0% to $1,281.38/oz £/$ - 1.5078
The FTSE 100 shrugged off the win for the anti-austerity party, Syriza, in Greece to climb 19 points higher to 6,852.
Utility giant BG led the index with a 2.9% gain. And International Consolidated Airlines followed, closing 2.4% higher in the wake of its takeover bid for Aer Lingus (see below).
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
At the other end, Greek bottling-company Coca-Cola HBC was the biggest faller of the day, down 3.2%.
In Europe, the Paris CAC 40 rose 34 points to 4,675, and the German Xetra Dax gained 148 points to 10,798.
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged less than one percentage point higher to 17,679, the S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 2,057, as did the Nasdaq Composite to 4,772.
Overnight in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broader Topix index rose 1.7% to 17,768, and 1,426. And in China, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.9% to 3,353, and the CSI 300 also slid 0.9% to 3,574.
Brent spot was trading at $47.75 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $44.89. Spot gold was trading at $1,278 an ounce, silver was at $17.94 and platinum was at $1,254.
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.5106 and against the euro at 1.3324. The dollar was trading at 0.8819 against the euro and 118.06 against the Japanese yen.
And in the UK, International Consolidated Airlines' (IAG) improved €1.36bn offer for Aer Lingus has been accepted by the Irish airline's board in principle. IAG, the parent company of British Airways, said Aer Lingus would continue to fly under its own brand.
-
FTSE 100 hits record highs – why is it rising and will we see more gains?
Advice UK equities have been described as unloved for a long time but as the FTSE 100 hits new highs, we explain if now is the time to buy British.
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
How to invest in copper
It may be time to invest in copper as the red metal appears poised for a big jump. Dominic Frisby looks at what should investors should buy
By Dominic Frisby Published