FTSE 100

The FTSE was unable to add to its gains from the day before, after the Bank of England cut rates by 25 basis points in a close decision that, on balance, appeared less dovish than the vote split would have had you believed. A sharp drop in Japanese shares overnight dented investor confidence somewhat, which came hot on the heels of a technology-fuelled rally on Wall Street on Wednesday.

Tech earnings from Microsoft, Apple, Meta and Amazon to set the early tone for UK markets this week before focus the switches to whether the Fed and Bank of England will cut interest rates. Early signals suggest traders want to buy risk.

Interest rates are starting to be cut across the developed world. The combination of lower borrowing costs and positive economic growth should benefit cyclical assets, including stock indices which have lagged during the aggressive rate tightening cycle of recent years. That presents an opportunity for traders.

Today, millions of UK citizens are heading to polling stations to vote in the general elections, while the US is out celebrating Independence Day. Then it is all about the French legislative election on Sunday, which can arguably have a bigger influence on the FTSE 100 forecast than the UK vote today.

The FTSE moved moderately higher after the UK’s inflation rate fell to the Bank of England’s 2% target ahead of for the central bank’s rate section on Thursday.

UK stocks track Chinese markets and commodities higher. Rising commodity and precious metals prices should support mining stocks, plenty of which are constituents of the FTSE. Meanwhile, technical analysis suggests the UK stock index could finally join global rally.

FTSE 100 attempts to join global rally, boosted by China's efforts to shore up its economy. China FTSE A50 analysis shows Chinese stocks are responding positively to needs China has set a 5% GDP target, which will needs policy support ‘from all fronts’

FTSE continues to underperform European and US markets, with new records or multi-year highs set for mainland European indices after S&P crossed 5K. Yet the FTSE was lower again. Still, UK stocks are at “record cheap” levels ahead of busy week of data.

The UK economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter, but that is fuelling fears that inflation could remain elevated.

The FTSE 100 is under pressure in the wake of weak economic data out of China, as Glencore dishes out more cash to shareholders despite a tough first half.

Homebuilders are in play as UK house prices remain under pressure, buyers are circling for Haleon’s non-core assets and mining giants are following iron ore prices lower.

London-listed travel stocks are on the rise today as demand remains buoyant, although it isn’t proving enough to stop the FTSE 100 hitting fresh two-week lows.

The Bank of England is expected to increase rates for a 14th consecutive time today as the battle against inflation continues.

BP ups shareholder returns despite a sharp drop in profits, HSBC has raised its outlook and markets are digesting news that shop price inflation fell for the first time in two years in July.

UK oil producers are on the rise as the government looks to kickstart fresh drilling in the North Sea, BT Group finds its next CEO and Spectris lifts its full year outlook.

Rolls Royce shares have hit their highest level in over three years after smashing expectations in the first half, while UK banks are trading lower as earnings season begins.

Vodafone beat expectations in the first quarter, while airline stocks are under pressure as wildfires ravage Greece.