London’s stock market opened on a sombre note on Wednesday, reflecting persistent concerns over soaring inflation in the UK and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 index fell by 0.3%, shedding 23.28 points, while the FTSE 250 and the AIM All-Share followed suit, declining by 0.7% and 0.2% respectively.
The Office for National Statistics revealed that consumer prices in the UK surged by 6.7% annually in September, matching the previous month’s rate and defying market expectations of a slowdown to 6.6%. This concerning data further dampened market sentiment. The British pound, however, displayed strength, trading at $1.2205 early Wednesday, up from $1.2191 at the previous day’s close.
Amid these concerns, shares of UK housebuilders like Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, and Berkeley dipped significantly. Barratt, in particular, faced a grim outlook, anticipating a 17% drop in completions in the financial year 2024 compared to the previous year.
However, amidst the gloom, Whitbread offered a glimmer of hope. The company reported a 17% annual revenue increase to £1.57 billion in its half-year ending August 31. This boost was attributed to robust UK hotel demand and a gradual recovery in supply following the pandemic. Whitbread’s pre-tax profit also saw a notable 29% surge, reaching £395 million.
In a move to reassure investors, Whitbread increased its interim dividend by 40% to 34.1 pence and announced a £300 million share buyback programme. The company’s positive outlook was reinforced by its confidence in the UK supply scenario, providing a beacon of optimism amid market uncertainties.
Meanwhile, in the FTSE 250, Marshalls, the building products manufacturer, saw a 6.6% rise in its shares. The company maintained its annual expectations, reporting a decrease in like-for-like revenue contraction to 9% in the third quarter, compared to 13% in the first half.
In small-cap stocks, Kin & Carta experienced a remarkable 41% surge, reaching 110p. The London-based business consultancy accepted a takeover offer from Kelvin UK Bidco, an entity owned indirectly by funds advised by UK private equity firm Apax Partners. The deal, valuing Kin & Carta at approximately £203 million, highlighted the significance of scale and diversification in the Digital Transformation sector amid changing economic landscapes.
