Spread Betting Markets Snapshot

• FTSE 100 shed 0.1% or 3.3 points, to close at 5,395.7.
• FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 0.3% or 2.5 points to 961.4.
• DJIA edged down 0.1% to close at 11,416.3. NASDAQ gained 0.7% to settle at 2,583.0. S&P 500 rose 0.1% to 1,195.5.
• Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.3% lower, at 8,749.2.
• In Asia, crude oil for November delivery is trading 0.6% or 51 cents lower at $85.30 per barrel.
• At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5559, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.1432, and 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥119.36.
• For more on trading stock market indices see spread betting on indices.

UK Spread Betting Markets

• UK markets closed mixed yesterday, with the FTSE 100 index dragged down by declines in mining sector stocks, as commodity prices lost ground. However, losses were restricted as banking stocks rallied, amid expectations that Slovakia would ratify expanding the European Financial Stability Facility.
• Miners, Anglo American and Antofagasta, skidded 1.1% and 1.6%, respectively, tracking a decline in base metal prices.
• InterContinental Hotel slid 0.6%, as Barclays cut its rating on the stock to “Underweight” from “Overweight”.
• Banking stocks, RBS, Barclays and Lloyds Banking group, rose between 1.6% and 2.8%, after Societe Generale included the stocks in its top sector picks.
• Compass Group gained 1.4%, after the company stated that it remains optimistic about prospects in the US.
• FTSE 100 shed 0.1% to 5,395.7, while FTSE 250 edged up 0.1% to settle at 10,155.1.
• BAE Systems rallied 4.0%, amid speculation of a radical breakup of the business.
• Banking stocks, RBS, Barclays and Lloyds Banking group, rose between 1.6% and 2.8%, after Societe Generale included the stocks in its top sector picks.
• Meggitt advanced 1.6%, after Societe Generale included the stock on its list of potential takeover targets.
• Compass Group climbed 1.4%, after the company announced that it remains optimistic about prospects in the US and that sales could double or triple in the next 10 years.
• Associated British Foods declined 2.4%, amid speculation that EU Commission would propose scrapping sugar quotas.
• ENRC eased 2.3%, after the company stated that it would exercise an option to buy the outstanding shares in thermal-coal producer Shubarkol.
• Ashmore Group lost 2.0%, ahead of its trading update on Thursday.
• Bunzl fell 1.7%, after Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to “Underweight” from “Equal-weight”.
• Antofagasta lost 1.6%, as base metal prices retreated.
• For more on trading UK shares see spread betting on UK shares.

Forex Spread Betting Markets

• At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5559, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.1432, and 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥119.36.
• The EUR is trading 0.2% lower against the USD at $1.3610. The EUR is trading 0.2% lower against the JPY at ¥104.41.
• The GBP is trading lower against the USD, amid speculation that UK unemployment claims increased for a seventh month.
• The AUD and NZD are trading lower against the JPY, after Slovakia blocked a measure to expand European financial rescue program for heavily indebted countries.
• The USD and JPY are trading higher against the EUR, as Asian equity markets dropped, after the US Senate passed legislation for punitive action against China for its undervalued currency. This increased speculation that trade relations would sour between the two nations, boosting demand for the safe haven assets.
• Yesterday, the EUR ended higher against the USD, after the European Union, IMF and ECB, announced that Greece would receive a €8.0 billion in early November to avoid a near-term default, raising demand for high yielding assets.
• The CAD closed lower against the USD, amid concerns that European officials might fail to halt the region’s sovereign-debt crisis, after Slovakian lawmakers failed to approve an overhaul of Europe’s bailout fund.
• The GBP/USD spreads closed lower, following report that UK’s manufacturing contracted more-than-forecast in August, increasing speculation that the economic recovery is faltering.
• For more on trading the forex markets see forex spread betting.

Commodities Spread Betting Markets

• Gold for December delivery fell 0.6% or $9.80 to settle at $1,661 per ounce yesterday.
• This came as demand for the safe haven asset waned amid hopes that the global economy would recover, after the head of the ESRB, Trichet, asked officials to quickly implement the package of measures agreed at the 21st July summit.
• In Asia, crude oil for November delivery is trading 0.6% or 51 cents lower at $85.30 per barrel.
• Yesterday, crude oil for November delivery added 0.5% or 40 cents to settle at $85.81 per barrel. This came as the dollar fell against the euro, boosting the demand for the commodities as an alternative investment.
• For more on commodities trading see commodities spread betting.