London shares were muted on Tuesday amid a lacklustre trading session, while investors pin hopes on an earnings boost from semiconductor firm Nvidia after the closing bell.
The FTSE 100 dipped 0.2% to end the day at 7,481.99, with the FTSE 250 sliding 1.4% to 18,347.63 on broad-based losses.
Among individual movers, Admiral led FTSE 100 gainers with a 2.7% rise after Citi upgraded the insurer’s stock. Meanwhile, Workspace Group fell 7.2% in the midcap index as the office space provider swung to a half-year loss on weaker property valuations, though rental income climbed.
In the AIM All-Share, AO World rose 7%+ after the online electrical retailer returned to a £13 million first-half profit from a £12 million loss last year, on a “strategic pivot” improving profitability. Capita surged 8% after outsourcer announced that around 900 jobs in its 50,000 workforce are at risk of redundancy, as it ramps up its cost-cutting drive.
In other news, British Airways owner IAG today pledged to reinstate dividends after record Q3 profits pointed to sustained travel demand strength.
In the commodity markets, spot gold hit a fresh two-week high reaching $2,007 per ounce this afternoon.
Across the pond, attention now turns to the Fed’s November meeting minutes due this evening. But Nvidia’s third-quarter figures will be closely watched by traders banking on a lift from the tech bellwether’s blockbuster run this year. Lacklustre results could dent recent momentum.
