Spread Trading Markets Snapshot

• FTSE 100 gained 0.5% or 27.8 points to 6,017.5.
• FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 0.2% to 1,121.6.
• US markets were closed yesterday on account of Independence Day Holiday.
• Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.2% higher, at 9,981.4.
• In Asia, crude oil for August delivery is trading 17 cents lower at $94.77 per barrel.
• At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.2% lower against the USD at $1.6049, 0.2% higher against the EUR at €1.1078 and marginally higher against the JPY at ¥129.98.
• For more on trading stock market indices see spread trading on indices.

UK Shares Spread Trading Market Review

• UK markets closed higher yesterday, with the FTSE 100 index closing above the 6,000 level for the first time since mid-May, as the rally following the Greek parliament’s vote in favor of austerity measures continued.
• Oil producers, Essar Energy, Petrofac and Tullow Oil, advanced between 0.1% and 1.5%, amid firm oil prices, while Royal Dutch Shell gained 1.0%, as Goldman Sachs took a positive stance on the stock.
• British Land climbed 2.3%, as Deutsche Bank recommended a “Buy” advice on the stocks, while Aggreko rose 1.9%, after Citigroup lifted its price target on the stock.
• Gains were restricted for UK markets by losses in banks, after Standard & Poor warned that a rollover plan for Greek debt meant a default.
• FTSE 100 gained 0.5% or 27.8 points to 6,017.5. FTSE 250 added 0.5% or 62.0 points to 12,102.3.
• John Wood Group climbed 3.4%, as the company completed its £1.08 billion cash return to shareholders.
• British Land rose 2.3%, after Deutsche Bank recommended a “Buy” rating on the stock and stated that it expects prices to appreciate considerably over the next 12 months on expectations for strong growth in net asset value.
• Weir Group gained 2.1%, as Merrill Lynch took a positive stance on the stock.
• Aggreko added 1.9%, as Citigroup lifted its price target on the stock.
• Cairn Energy dropped 3.3%, after JPMorgan lowered its price target on the stock to 480p from 500p.
• Banks, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered, lost between 0.7% and 1.8%, after Standard & Poor's warned that Greek’s potential debt deal would amount to a default.
• For more on trading UK shares see spread trading on UK shares.

Forex Spread Trading Markets

• At 0400 BST today, GBP / USD is trading 0.2% lower at $1.6049, whilst the GBP is 0.2% higher against the EUR at €1.1078 and marginally higher against the JPY at ¥129.98.
• The EUR is trading 0.4% lower against the USD at $1.4487.
• The EUR is trading 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥117.34, as most Asian equity markets traded lower, decreasing the demand for high yielding assets.
• The AUD is trading lower against the USD, as Australia’s policy makers hold the benchmark rate unchanged at 4.75%.
• Yesterday, the EUR ended lower against the USD, after Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services warned that the proposed rollover of Greek government debt would likely be considered a default.
• The Swiss franc ended lower against major currencies, after a report showed that Switzerland’s retail sales fell 4.1% in May from a year earlier.
• The AUD ended lower against the USD, after a report showed that Australian retail sales declined 0.6% in May compared to a 1.2% rise in April.
• For more on trading the forex markets see forex spread trading.

Commodities Spread Trading Markets

• Gold for immediate delivery is trading marginally higher today, at $1,497.3 per ounce.
• Gold prices for August delivery added 0.8% or $11.20 to $1,493.80 per ounce yesterday during Asian trading session, as the dollar weakened against the major currencies, increasing the demand for the precious metal as a hedge against inflation.
• Floor trading was closed yesterday for the Independence Day holiday.
• In Asia, crude oil for August delivery is trading 17 cents lower at $94.77 per barrel.
• On Monday, crude oil for August delivery was at $95 per barrel, at the 1:15 pm New York time close of electronic trading on Globex.
• Yesterday, Nymex floor trading was closed for the Independence Day holiday.
• For more on commodities trading see commodities spread trading.