Proactive Investors -
- Blue-chip index up 44 points to 8,089
- Lloyds’ profits down
- Dettol-maker Reckitt hits target
BAE, defence firms boosted after government spending pledge
BAE Systems (LON:BAES) was among the FTSE 100’s big risers on Wednesday after the government vowed to hike military spending over the coming years.
Shares in the firm climbed 2.7%, with peers Babcock International Group (LON:BAB), Qinetiq Group PLC (LON:QQ) and Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LON:RR) up 1.7%, 1.2% and 0.7% respectively.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak had pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2030 on Tuesday, a promise echoed by the Labour politicians.
This is set to take the annual figure to around £87.1 billion by 2030, representing £7 billion more than if spending stayed at 2.3% of gross domestic product.
JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) dubbed the news as “positive” and reiterated ‘overweight’ ratings for BAE, Babcock and QinetiQ.
“Babcock and QinetiQ look extremely undervalued to us,” the bank added, pointing out the former was on its positive catalyst watchlist ahead of results in June.
Burberry slips on Gucci profit warning
Burberry Group PLC (LON:BRBY) was among the FTSE 100’s biggest fallers on Wednesday, after rival Kering (LON:0IIH) warned on profits following a slump in Gucci-branded sales over the first quarter.
Burberry fell 3% on the news, with sluggish Chinese demand said to be among the reasons for the 21% dip in Gucci sales, according to owner Kering.
Croda International PLC (LON:CRDA) led the fallers in the meantime, down 3.2% after the speciality chemicals company unveiled a 10% drop in sales for the first three months of the year.
Among risers, Reckitt Benckiser (LON:RKT) led the way with gains of 5.3% following expectation-beating revenues for the first quarter.
Miners also gained, following falls earlier in the week, led by Rio Tinto (LON:RIO), which climbed 3.3%.
Overall, the FTSE 100 remained in record-breaking territory, up 38 points at 8,082, having hit a new all-time high of 8,088 earlier on.
Jet2 descends on fears over pricing
Jet2 PLC (LON:JET2) shares descended over 5% after the airline seemingly reported on positive trading for both last year and the summer months ahead on Wednesday morning.
Though summer demand looks to be outdoing last year, Jet2 said, pricing had become more competitive in recent months.
“While Jet2 looks well positioned ahead of its key summer trading period, the travel operator spooked investors as it warned of more competitive pricing,” AJ Bell’s Russ Mould noted.
“This could be a sign that the pricing power enjoyed by the sector, with people prepared to pay whatever it takes to get their week in the sun, is starting to ease.”
Jet2 had highlighted more “competitive pricing” recently, “particularly for April and May departures”.
Shares fell 5.1% to 1,412.50p.
Oil surges as US stockpiles drop
Oil prices have gained ground on Wednesday following a surprise drop in US stockpiles.
Benchmark Brent Crude climbed as high as US$88.69 a barrel on Wednesday morning, up 1.8% on a day earlier.
This came as US inventories fell by 3.237 million barrels over the week to April 19, with analysts having expected an increase of 800,000 barrels.
Official data is due later on Wednesday, with a drop signalling positive news for demand.
According to Hargreaves Lansdown (LON:HRGV) analyst Sophie Lund-Yates, “lack of movement on OPEC+’s production mandates” has also helped pushed prices up.
“There’s also growing hope that interest rate cuts could be on the agenda in the near-term, which would boost demand for the black stuff,” she said.