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UK records first July surplus in 15 years; FTSE 100 jumps back into positive territory

Public sector net borrowing was in surplus by £0.2bn in July 2017 - PA
Public sector net borrowing was in surplus by £0.2bn in July 2017 - PA
  • FTSE 100 pushes back into the green as the gloomy mood on stock markets begins to lift; European stocks also record strong early rises

  • Pound slips back below $1.29; UK records first July surplus since 2002

  • Doorstep lender Provident Financial has plummeted 63pc on the FTSE 100 after a triple whammy of a scrapped dividend, chief executive departure and warning of a full-year loss

  • BHS' former owner Dominic Chappell to be prosecuted by The Pensions Regulator for failing to provide information into an investigation into the sale of the closed retailer

5:58PM

Markets wrap: FTSE 100 snaps losing streak; pound drifts lower against stronger dollar

FTSE 100
The FTSE 100 has snapped a three-day losing streak today

Global stock markets have rebounded sharply today as the risk aversion dogging equities faded away. With the dollar also advancing on the pound, the FTSE 100 snapped a three-day losing streak to finish 0.9pc higher thanks to a broad based rally.

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The pick of the movements in London has been doorstep lender Provident Financial's incredible 66pc plummet after the triple whammy of a scrapped dividend, chief executive departure and full-year loss forecast. Elsewhere Tesco outstripping its rivals in the latest supermarket sales data lifted its shares 4.1pc while mining stocks were buoyed by robust base metal prices with copper rising to a three-year high.

On the currency markets, data from the ONS showing that the UK posted its first July surplus since 2002 and CBI figures indicating a strengthening manufacturing sector couldn't stop the pound drifting lower against a stronger dollar today. While sterling remains flat against the euro, it is finishing the day 0.6pc down against the greenback, trading at $1.2837.

5:46PM

Brent crude stabilises around $52 per barrel after OPEC meeting fails to impress traders

Brent
Brent crude has rebounded 0.4pc this afternoon, trading at $52.04 per barrel

Brent crude has stabilised around the $52 per barrel mark this afternoon after the lack of major news from yesterday's OPEC meeting failed to impress traders, causing the price drift downwards once again.

CMC Markets analyst David Madden said this on OPEC's dwindling reputation in the oil market:

"The oil minister of Kuwait, Essam al-Marzouq stated they will talk about the possibility of extending the production cut beyond the end of March 2018. The oil cartel should not be ignored, but the group does not have the creditability it once did, as traders know they often say one thing, and do another." 

Oil has stoked a bit of movement on the stock market as well today. London-listed producer Cairn Energy jumped 3.6pc today after it upped its recoverable reserves estimate at its offshore SNE field in Senegal from 473m barrels to 563m while Petrofac popped 2.1pc after it sold a 50pc stake in the Pánuco oil field to Schlumberger. 

4:54PM

FTSE 100 rebounds into positive territory as risk aversion retreats

Dax
The DAX recorded a 1.4pc rise while the CAC 40 advanced 0.9pc

Markets are now closed in Europe and the FTSE 100 has rebounded into positive territory today, rallying 0.9pc, as risk aversion retreated on global stock markets. A quick round-up of today's action and the market report will follow shortly...

4:19PM

US markets lifted by fresh hopes of tax reform

Mitch
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell

Fresh hopes of US tax reforms are helping equities gain stateside this afternoon, according to IG's chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp.

He said this on today's play:

"One day down, one day up, and so on. This is the theme of August, with markets unable so far to establish a direction and stick with it. After losses yesterday the buyers have come back in, with fresh hope of moves on US tax reform apparently providing the catalyst for gains.

"Warm words from Senate leader McConnell on the debt ceiling are also helping to boost confidence. Perhaps this time we will see stock markets extend their gains into a second day; optimism surrounding Jackson Hole and potential comments on monetary policy from the dynamic duo of Draghi and Yellen could see Wednesday post a positive session as well."

3:54PM

Hostelworld back in the black as holidaymakers book by app

Shares
Shares have rise 9.6pc to 318.5p

Travel bookings website Hostelworld swung back to profit in the first half of the year, helped by more holidaymakers booking shorter trips via their mobile phones. 

The company said that even though the price of accommodation had risen, partly because of the fall in the value of sterling, it had seen the number of bookings rise by 11pc to 3.9m.

Chief executive Feargal Mooney said the number of nights per booking had dropped but that this had been balanced by the shift to mobile, which made up half of reservations in the six months to June 30.

Mobile customers “transact more frequently than other customers”, Mr Mooney said, which had been an important factor in helping the company’s adjusted profits, pushing them up 27pc to €12.9m (£11.8m).

Read Bradley Gerrard's full report here

3:30PM

Tech firms and copper miners lift US indices 

Dow Jones
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 have both advanced 0.6pc this afternoon

After having a poor session yesterday, tech shares are helping to lift US indices this afternoon with the tech-heavy Nasdaq rebounding 0.9pc shortly after the opening bell in New York.

As in London, the mining stocks are also leading the way across the Atlantic with copper hitting a three-year high on hopes of stronger demand. 

Over here, that rise has led to copper miner KAZ Minerals popping nearly 7pc on the FTSE 250 while blue-chip Antofagasta has risen 2.5pc with its strong interim results also giving the Chile-based firm a helping hand.

2:41PM

Antofagasta on a roll as copper prices surge  

Shares
Shares have risen 1.9pc following the results

Chile-based miner Antofagasta believes copper’s good run is set to continue as it reported a jump in profits and a hiked dividend.

Iván Arriagada, chief executive, said the “outlook is favourable”, as copper expects to be in long-term demand for electrical wiring in houses, cars, and gadgets.

“We’re positive on where the copper market is going,” he said. “There will be volatility but the price is going in the right direction.”

Read Jon Yeomans' full report here

2:19PM

US markets preview

Dow Jones
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 nudged up into positive territory yesterday

The stronger dollar following "unfavourable" economics data in Europe has helped to lift equities today, argues Henry Croft, research analyst at Accendo Markets.

He added:

"European equities are nicely positive this afternoon as a US dollar recovery aids the plethora of stocks across the region with foreign earnings.

"The rally for the global reserve currency follows a morning of unfavourable European macroeconomic data; a disappointing ZEW expectations survey print for Eurozone powerhouse Germany and  an ominous forecast from the UK’s ONS that public borrowing will deepen have hurt the Euro and Sterling, respectively."

The quieter White House helped US stock indices snap their losing streak yesterday with European markets today taking their cue from the positive session over the Atlantic. US stock futures are pointing to a positive start there as well.

Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell provided this preview of this afternoon's action over in the US:

"Having briefly dipped below 21600 during yesterday’s trading the US index managed to recover by the end of the session, leaving it in line to re-cross 21700 with a 40 point rise after the bell.

"There isn’t a lot for the Dow to deal with this afternoon, so as long as the macro-issues that have plagued the markets in recent weeks remain in the background there isn’t much to disrupt its recovery."

1:34PM

Housebuilder Persimmon's profits soar by 30pc

Persimmon
A Persimmon construction site in Dartford

FTSE 100 housebuilder Persimmon has reported a 30pc jump in profits in the first half of the year as it avoided the effects of a slowdown in the housing market.

Persimmon’s pre-tax profits rose 30pc to £457.5m in the six months ended June 30, while revenues were up 12pc to £1.66bn.

It built 556 new homes in the period, an increase in completions of 8pc to a total 7,794, as it made the business more efficient. Its average selling price rose 4pc to £213,262.

“The market remains confident,” said chief executive Jeff Fairburn. “Customer interest in our developments remains strong with encouraging levels of interest through both our websites and our sales outlets as we trade through the quieter summer weeks.

Shares nudged up 1pc following the results.

Read Sam Dean and Isabelle Fraser's full report here

12:59PM

Neil Woodford's portfolio takes a battering

Star fund manager Neil Woodford's day is going from bad to worse as, in addition to the huge 74pc fall at doorstep lender Provident Financial, his stakes in AA and Allied Minds are also taking a battering today.

The roadside rescuer is anchored to bottom of the FTSE 250 scoreboard, slipping 4.4pc, while intellectual property group Allied Minds has dived 8.1pc.

12:43PM

BHS owner Dominic Chappell prosecuted by Pensions Regulator

Dominic
Dominic Chappell, bought BHS for £1 before presiding over its collapse 13 months later

Dominic Chappell, the former bankrupt who bought BHS for £1, is to be prosecuted by The Pensions Regulator for failing to provide information related to his purchase of the now defunct retailer.

Mr Chappell has been summoned to appear at Brighton Magistrates Court on September 20 to face three charges of neglecting or refusing to provide information and documents without a reasonable excuse.

The Pensions Regulator is still pursuing Mr Chappell over the collapse of BHS, which left 20,000 BHS pensioners facing a pay cut and created 11,000 redundancies, after agreeing a £363m with Sir Philip Green to plug the retailer's deficit. 

Read Ashley Armstrong's full report here

12:38PM

CBI manufacturing survey reaction: Can strong surveys translate to better output data?

CBI
The trend between the CBI survey and output data has deviated this year

Analysts are pointing out that today's robust CBI figures should be taken with a pinch of salt given that recently the hard output data has strayed from the trend shown in surveys such as today's.

Pantheon Macro commented that the survey's size and the way the data is collated could be to blame for the disparity:

"It’s possible that the survey’s small sample size of just 432 manufacturers is to blame for its inaccuracy. The CBI’s measure of orders also is derived from the number of manufacturers reporting if orders are above or below “normal”, which is not clearly defined.

"Firms also are asked to report order volumes, but we suspect that many think in terms of revenues, which in many cases have been boosted automatically by sterling’s depreciation. 

The EY ITEM Club's chief economic advisor Howard Archer gave his thoughts on the sector's outlook:

"The outlook for manufacturing appears mixed with a promising export environment countered by challenging domestic conditions.

"On the positive side, a very competitive pound and improved global demand should buoy UK manufacturers competing in foreign markets. The weakened pound could also encourage some companies to switch to domestic sources for supplies, which could help manufacturers of intermediate products."

12:16PM

Lunchtime update: Provident Financial plunges 73pc as stock markets rebound

Tesco
Tesco is the top gainer on the FTSE 100 after its sales growth beat rivals'

Provident Financial's colossal 73pc nosedive on the FTSE 100 this morning has made all the headlines but can't stop the blue-chip index rebounding firmly into positive territory.

The doorstep lender was ruthlessly punished after its latest interim results contained the triple whammy of a scrapped dividend, chief executive departure and shock forecast of a full-year loss.

At the other end, Tesco has jumped 3.5pc after its sale growth outstripped its UK rivals as budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl continue to close the gap while mining heavyweight BHP Billiton has advanced 3pc following its full-year results, in which it bowed to pressure from activist investor Elliott Advisors and announced the sale of its US shale assets.

Despite the two UK economic releases this morning beating expectations, the pound has dipped 0.3pc against the dollar, trading at $1.2827, but remains flat against the euro. Analysts are pinning this morning's fall on Brexit-related jitters with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier's goading tweets overnight ratcheting up the tension further at the negotiating table.

Here's the current state of play in Europe: 

FTSE 100: +0.66pc

DAX: +0.61pc

CAC 40: +0.44pc

IBEX: +0.25pc

11:40AM

UK manufacturing demand remained strong in August, says CBI

Demand for UK manufacturing beat expectations in August, according to the CBI's latest industrial trends survey, with order books remaining strong thanks to exporters still feeling the benefit from a lower pound.

Some 30pc of manufacturers reported that order books were above normal while 17pc said they were below below, leaving a balance of +13pc, above expectations of a +8pc reading. The CBI added that strong and broad based output growth is expected to continue into the next quarter.

Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic Intelligence, said:

"After a brief pause last month, expectations for selling prices have rebounded, indicating that the squeeze on consumers is set to persist. We expect CPI (Consumer Price Index) to top out at around 3% towards the end of this year and remain close to that level during 2018, as the effect of the weak pound continues to feed through."

11:10AM

BHS' former owner Dominic Chappell to be prosecuted

BHS
BHS' former owner Dominic Chappell

BHS' former owner Dominic Chappell will be prosecuted by The Pensions Regulator for failing to provide information requested during its investigation into the sale of the closed retailer.

The former bankrupt bought BHS for £1 in 2015 before it collapsed into administration in April 2016, leaving behind a £571m pension deficit.

The Pensions Regulator said this in its statement just a few moments ago:

TPR is prosecuting Mr Chappell for failing to comply with three notices issued under Section 72 of the Pensions Act 2004. The notices requiring information were issued to Mr Chappell on 26 April 2016, 13 May 2016 and 20 February 2017.

He has been summonsed to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 20 September 2017 to face three charges of neglecting or refusing to provide information and documents, without a reasonable excuse, when required to do so under section 72 of the Pensions Act 2004, contrary to section 77(1) of that Act."

10:48AM

Mike Ashley increases Debenhams stake to more than 20pc

Mike Ashley
Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has increased his stake in Debenhams to more than 20pc.

In a statement to the stock market, Debenhams said Mr Ashley now holds 21pc of shares, giving him more than 10pc of voting rights in the company. 

Sports Direct’s interest in Debenhams was first revealed in early 2014 and he has been steadily increasing his stake this year.

The increase of its holdings in the struggling department store chain follows Mr Ashley’s decision to snap up a stake of more than 25pc in video game retailer Game Digital last month.

Read Sam Dean's full report here

10:42AM

FTSE 100 holds gains; Provident on course for lowest share price since 2000

FTSE 100
The FTSE 100 is largely unchanged since opening this morning

The FTSE 100 has held on to today's rebound thanks to the waning risk-off mood with European indices lifted by some bargain hunting this morning, according to CMC Markets analyst David Madden.

He commented:

"Traders adopt a risk-on strategy this morning even though the standoff between the US and North Korea is still bubbling away in the background.

"The shakedown in European equity markets yesterday has encouraged bargain hunting today. European indices have been in decline for a few months now, and today’s move higher hasn’t changed the outlook.

Some bargain buys may be lifting the blue-chip indices in Europe but I'm not sure the cut price sale on Provident Financial is enticing many buyers. The stock is now on course to close at its lowest share price since 2000.

 

10:25AM

Public sector borrowing reaction: Pound continues drift downwards; slowing tax receipts highlight economy's fragility

July
Growth in tax receipts slowed in July

Today's public sector net borrowing surplus hasn't been able to shift the momentum on the currency markets with the pound continuing to drift downwards against the dollar. It's currently trading at $1.2841, close to a one-month low against the greenback.

Pantheon Macro commented that today's borrowing figures are not a sign that the economy is in rude health and that instead slowing growth in tax receipts highlights the economy's fragility.

Its UK economist Samuel Tombs explained:

"Growth in receipts will slow sharply at the end of this fiscal year, because the bumper batch of SA receipts collected in January and February 2017, due to prior tax changes, will not be repeated.

"The OBR also likely will revise down its very optimistic forecasts for wage growth in the Autumn Budget, boosting the borrowing forecast in future years. As such, we continue to doubt that the Chancellor will pare back the fiscal consolidation planned for the coming years."

10:08AM

Public sector borrowing reaction: Due to one-off factors

Hammond
Chancellor Phillip Hammond still may have little flexibility in the next budget, according to Capital Economics

Today's much improved borrowing figures were mainly "due to one-off factors", according to Capital Economics' UK economist Ruth Gregory.

Economists had forecast a £1bn deficit in today's figures and the surplus is the UK's first in a July in 15 years.

Ms Gregory explained that we shouldn't get too carried away as figures for the first few months of the year are based on a "significant amount of forecast data".

She added:

"Some one-off effects distorted the annual comparison in July, as self-assessment receipts were boosted by the July 31st deadline falling on a Monday this year, but Sunday in 2016, meaning that some receipts were recorded in August last year. 

"What’s more, cumulative borrowing in the first four months of the fiscal year at £22.8bn was still some 9% higher than the £20.9bn seen last year, with the OBR expecting a further deterioration later in the fiscal year.

"As such, despite July’s strength the Chancellor may still find that he has little scope for any easing back on the planned fiscal squeeze in his November Budget.

9:53AM

Public sector borrowing key takeaways

  1. Public sector net borrowing recorded a £0.2bn surplus in July, the first July surplus since 2002.

  2. July's surplus was much better than the £1bn deficit forecast.

  3. Borrowing increased by £1.9bn to £22.8bn in the current financial year to date (April-July), when compared with the same period in 2016.

  4. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that borrowing will reach £58.3bn for the financial year ending March 2018.

9:41AM

UK records first public sector July surplus since 2002

Public sector borrowing recorded a surplus of £0.2bn in July, its first July surplus since 2002. Reaction on the currency markets has been limited, however, the pound rising slightly to £1.2958, a 0.4pc fall for the session.

9:34AM

BHP Billiton board bow to activist investor pressure

paul singer
Paul Singer's hedge fund Elliott Advisors has urged BHP to ditch its dual listing

Mining heavweights Antofagasta and BHP Billiton are pulling up the FTSE 100 most this morning after reporting their latest figures to the market.

Chilean copper miner Antofagasta has jumped 4.5pc in early trading after reporting that revenues have enjoyed a 42pc increase while BHP Billiton has popped 3.6pc after swinging back to a profit.

The dual-listed miner also said that it will sell its US shale portfolio, a key demand of activist investor shareholder Elliott Advisors.

The spin-off will be seen as a "capitulation by the board, which had previously argued that the division formed a core part of the group's operations", said Nicholas Hyett, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

He added:

"While that volte face may attract headlines, management’s strategy elsewhere seems to be going smoothly and delivering results.

"The focus on cost control at BHP’s already very low cost assets, means cash generation is soaring now commodity prices have turned. Net debt is tumbling, and as that falls towards more sustainable levels it will free up cash for other uses." 

9:11AM

Provident Financial another Woodford pick to plunge in valuation

AA
AA and AstraZeneca, two of Mr Woodford's picks, have also suffered sharp share price falls recently

There were some hints that something of this nature was on the horizon for Provident Financial after its surprise profit warning in June sent shares sliding 18pc but I'm sure even those hedge funds that piled in cash against the company couldn't have foreseen a share price crash quite this large.

It appears that Provident's home credit division is the main issue with the company now expecting the department to record a pre-exceptional loss of between £80m to £120m.

Another interesting sidenote is that this is just the latest of star fund manager Neil Woodford's picks to have plunged of late with AA and AstraZeneca also suffering large drops recently.

Pharma firm AstraZeneca dropped 15pc in one session in July after revealing a setback in its key lung cancer drug trial while roadside rescuer AA plunged 14pc earlier this month following the sacking of chief executive Bob Mackenzie for a "Clarkson" moment.

It never rains but it pours.

8:55AM

Provident Financial crashes 59pc after warning of a full-year loss

It's hard to start any other place but Provident Financial this morning after its incredible share price crash.

The doorstep lender's valuation has been slashed in half in less than an hour after it said that it now expects a full-year loss, it ditched its interim dividend (it also indicated that a full-year dividend was unlikely) and chief executive Peter Crook stepped down.

Hedge funds have been circling Provident waiting for a slip with AQR, Systematica and Lansdowne Partners all holding large short positions in the company. Shorting, or borrowing a company's shares to sell and buy again when they have fallen to pocket the difference, is essentially a bet against a company and that bet has paid off big this morning.

8:30AM

Agenda: FTSE 100 jumps back into positive territory; borrowing figures expected to significantly improve

Persimmon
Persimmon posted a 30pc rise in pre-tax profit in its first-half results

The FTSE 100 has jumped back into positive territory this morning as improving sessions in Asia and the US indicate that the gloomy mood hanging over stock markets appears to have lifted.

Corporate results are lighting up the UK's benchmark index early on with housebuilder Persimmon climbing 2.9pc on a 30pc increase in pre-tax profit in its first half results and dual-listed miner BHP Billiton, which reported at the open in Melbourne last night, rising 1.9pc after making key concessions to its activist investor shareholder Elliott Advisors.

It hasn't been all sunshine on the corporate calendar this morning, however, as at the other end doorstep lender Provident Financial has plummeted an incredible 48pc after forecasting a full-year loss, its chief executive stepped down and it scrapped its dividend. 

Ahead of the UK public sector borrowing figures due at 9.30am this morning, the pound has slipped back below $1.29 against the dollar. The ONS data is expected to show borrowing increased by £1bn last month, a significant improvement on June's rise.

The other highlight, August's CBI industrial order expectations figure, will drop at 11am and is expected to slow slightly from the previous month's bumper showing.

Interim results: AFI Development, John Wood Group, Persimmon, Cairn Energy, Empresaria Group, Antofagasta

AGM: Puma VCT 10

Economics: Public sector net borrowing (UK), CBI industrial order expectations (UK), Consumer confidence (EU)