FTSE perks up on earnings
The FTSE started the new week on a positive note, shrugging off for the moment coronavirus-related declines in Chinese stock markets, focusing instead on domestic company news.
Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets reopened after being closed for more than a week giving local investors the first opportunity to react to the spread of the virus. Saved by the daily 10% price move limit the Shanghai index closed down 7.7% and Shenzhen dropped 8.4%.
In London, airlines tracked Ryanair shares higher after the budget airline reported a net profit for the third quarter and decided to extend its share buyback programme.
The recently merged food delivery group Just Eat-Takeaway is due to start trading in London today. With a mouthful of a name the newly minted company may have bitten off more than it can chew as it has yet to clear all the regulatory hurdles from the competition authority, which is unlikely to happen before early March.
Brent crude: we are not there yet
Brent crude prices have lost nearly 0.7% since the open but the decline is not accurately reflecting where the oil market is likely heading. China has extended the closure of large parts of its industrial production for at least one more week and transport in and out of 15 cities has been cut off.
Apple also closed its stores and offices until February 9. In an oil market that is already on the brink of being oversupplied and where China is the single largest consumer, this kind of slowdown cannot be underestimated, particularly given that the shutdowns may end up needing to be extended beyond next Monday.
From time to time, StoneX Financial Pty Ltd (“we”, “our”) website may contain links to other sites and/or resources provided by third parties. These links and/or resources are provided for your information only and we have no control over the contents of those materials, and in no way endorse their content. Any analysis, opinion, commentary or research-based material on our website is for information and educational purposes only and is not, in any circumstances, intended to be an offer, recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell. You should always seek independent advice as to your suitability to speculate in any related markets and your ability to assume the associated risks, if you are at all unsure. No representation or warranty is made, express or implied, that the materials on our website are complete or accurate. We are not under any obligation to update any such material.
As such, we (and/or our associated companies) will not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage incurred by you or any third party arising out of, or in connection with, any use of the information on our website (other than with regards to any duty or liability that we are unable to limit or exclude by law or under the applicable regulatory system) and any such liability is hereby expressly disclaimed.
FOREX.com is a trading name of StoneX Financial Pty Ltd.
The material provided herein is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.
While every care has been taken in preparing this material, we do not provide any representation or warranty (express or implied) with respect to its completeness or accuracy. This is not an invitation or an offer to invest nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell investments.
StoneX recommends you to seek independent financial and legal advice before making any financial investment decision. Trading CFDs and FX on margin carries a higher level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The possibility exists that you could lose more than your initial investment and CFD investors do not own or have any rights to the underlying assets.
It is important you consider our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) available at www.forex.com/en-au/terms-and-policies/, before deciding to acquire or hold our products. As a part of our market risk management, we may take the opposite side of your trade. Our Target Market Determination (TMD) is also available at www.forex.com/en-au/terms-and-policies/.
StoneX Financial Pty Ltd, Suite 42.01, 264 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 (ACN 141 774 727, AFSL 345646) is the CFD issuer and our products are traded off exchange.
Delayed London Stock Exchange (LSE) Data
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) market data displayed or referenced on this website is provided on a delayed basis and is not in real time. The delay period may vary but is typically at least 15 minutes. This data is intended for information purposes only and should not be relied upon for trading, investment, or other financial decisions. We do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the data for any particular purpose. Users should consult real-time data sources and obtain professional advice before making any financial decisions.
© FOREX.COM 2026