Spread Betting Markets Snapshot

• The FTSE 100 spread betting market surged 1.0% to close at 5,512.7.
• FTSEurofirst 300 index closed marginally higher to settle at 990.4.
• DJIA edged down marginally to close at 12,291.3. NASDAQ inched up 0.3% to settle at 2,625.2. S&P 500 rose marginally to settle at 1,265.4.
• Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.1% lower, at 8,433.9.
• In Asia, crude oil for February delivery is trading marginally higher at $101.37 per barrel.
• At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally lower against the USD at $1.5658, marginally lower against the EUR at €1.1980, and 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥121.83.
• For more on trading stock market indices see spread betting on indices.

UK Spread Betting Markets

• UK markets closed higher on Friday, in a shortened trading session, after robust economic data fuelled optimism that the US economic recovery is gathering pace, overshadowing concerns about the eurozone debt crisis.
• Tullow Oil, the top riser on the FTSE 100 index, and BP gained 3.1% and 2.1%, respectively, tracking a rise in crude oil prices.
• BG Group advanced 1.0%, after it announced an oil discovery in the North Sea.
• Rio Tinto, Xstrata and Antofagasta added between 0.6% and 2.4%, as copper prices rose for the fourth consecutive day.
• SABMiller gained 2.2%, after JPMorgan Cazenove reiterated its “Overweight” rating on the stock.
• National Grid gained 2.5%, amid speculation that the company is mulling to dispose its UK gas distribution businesses to State Grid Corporation of China.
• FTSE 100 surged 1.0% to 5,512.7, while FTSE 250 climbed 0.8% to settle at 9,984.2.
• Energy stocks, Tullow Oil, AMEC and BP Group added between 2.1% and 3.1%, tracking higher crude oil prices.
• National Grid gained 2.5%, following report that that the company might sell its UK gas distribution businesses to State Grid Corporation of China.
• Antofagasta advanced 2.4%, in line with a rise in base metal prices.
• SABMiller added 2.2%, after JPMorgan Cazenove reinstated coverage on the stock with an “Overweight” rating.
• CRH rose 2.2%, following report that that the company had acquired United Products Corporation.
• Financial stocks, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Old Mutual fell between 0.2% and 0.6%, as investors preferred to book profits following recent gains.
• For more on trading UK shares see spread betting on UK shares.

Forex Spread Betting Markets

• At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally lower against the USD at $1.5658, marginally lower against the EUR at €1.1980, and 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥121.83.
• The EUR is trading marginally higher against the USD at $1.3070. Earlier, the EUR was trading lower against the USD amid lingering concerns that Europe’s debt crisis would slow the region’s economic growth.
• The EUR is trading 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥101.70, ahead of sale of Italian bills and bonds today, and amid speculation that Italian business confidence dipped in December, the lowest level in almost two years.
• Also in forex spread betting, the WON is trading lower against the USD, after data showed that an index measuring manufacturers’ confidence in South Korea tumbled to a 30-month low in December.
• Yesterday, the EUR closed higher against the USD, as demand for riskier assets increased, after reports showed that US consumer confidence rose to 64.5 in December from a revised 55.2 in November, and after German policymakers stated that the country would not slide into a recession next year.
• For more on trading the forex markets see forex spread betting.

Commodities Spread Betting Markets

• Gold for immediate delivery is trading 0.1% lower today, at $1,588.96 per ounce.
• Gold for February delivery fell 0.7% or $10.50 to settle at $1,595.50 per ounce yesterday, as demand for the safe haven asset waned, as upbeat US economic data and positive comments from a German official, increased speculation that the global economy is recovering.
• In Asia, crude oil for February delivery is trading marginally higher at $101.37 per barrel.
• Yesterday, crude for February delivery gained 1.7% or $1.66 to $101.34 per barrel, after Iran threatened to cut off shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
• The crude oil spread betting market also gained value, amid expectation of increase in energy demand, after reports showed that US consumer confidence improved to a five-month high and home prices in 20 US cities declined at a slower pace.
• For more on commodities trading see commodities spread betting.