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The FTSE in London is down more than 1%. Concerns about the expansion of the Chinese economy are hurting miners and luxury companies, which are both down around 2%. The only industry in the green is defence. On the macro side the Labour Force Survey showed the unemployment rate rose to 4.3% from 4.0%, higher than expected, but sampling issues and base effects may have contributed. Average earnings growth was firmer than expected at 4.3% 3m/y, in line with the BoE’s projection. However, the HMRC median pay series showed a spike to 7% y/y, reflecting recent NHS pay settlements. The mixed data presents a challenge for the MPC, with rising unemployment and firm pay growth signals. The impact of the employer NICs changes announced in the Budget will be closely watched.Single Stock Stories:
Vodafone, a UK-based mobile operator, experienced a 3.7% drop in its share price, making it one of the top losers on London’s benchmark index. This decline was attributed to weakness in its largest market, Germany, where service revenue declined by 6.2% in the second quarter due to a lower customer base. However, the overall group revenue increased by 1.6% to 18.3 billion euros ($19.45 billion) in the first half of the year. Vodafone reiterated its fiscal year 2025 guidance, expecting core earnings of around 11 billion euros and adjusted free cash flow of at least 2.4 billion euros. Additionally, the company reported a 3.8% rise in adjusted core earnings to 5.4 billion euros, in line with market consensus. Vodafone’s shares have risen approximately 3% year-to-date.
Convatec Group Plc’s shares surge up to 19.2%, leading the FTSE 100 index. The medical products and technologies company raises its fiscal year 2024 organic sales growth forecast to 7.25%-8% from the previous guidance of 6%-7%. It also expects the fiscal year 2024 adjusted operating margin to be more than or equal to 21.5%, higher than the prior expectations of 21%. The London-based company anticipates further expanding its operating margin and delivering double-digit adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow to equity growth in fiscal year 2025. The year-to-date organic sales growth has risen to 7.7%, and the company’s shares have increased by around 6% year-to-date.
Broker Updates:
Vistry Group’s shares fall up to 6.4%, as UBS cuts target price to 605p and rates “sell”, and Citigroup slashes target price to 843p and rates “neutral”. Vistry’s balance sheet is “looking stretched and presents potential downside risk”, and a combination of cost issues in the South Division and concerns of a demand slowdown have driven the recent sell-off. The stock is down 5.7% as of 1220 GMT, pushing year-to-date losses to 22%.
Technical & Trade ViewFTSE Bias: Bullish Above Bearish below 8225
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