London midday: Stocks maintain losses but Aston Martin surges

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were still a little weaker by midday on Monday as a failed coup against Putin over the weekend dented sentiment. The FTSE 100 was down 0.4% at 7,434.14.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "The uprising in Russia could have sent shockwaves across equity and commodity markets but an apparent U-turn has meant only marginal volatility rather than a full-blown correction.

"Brent Crude had fallen by more than 4% over the past five days on fears about global economic weakness and how that would negatively impact demand. However, the oil price jumped 0.8% to $74.41 per barrel on Monday as markets contemplated a new period of uncertainty for supply.

"With more twists and turns to the Wagner mutiny than a theme park rollercoaster, markets aren't ready to accept the drama is over, even though the rebel fighters have been stood down.

"Asian and European markets were weak on Monday, although one has to accept there were plenty of negative factors weighing on shares before the attempted coup in Russia, namely high inflation and further interest rate rises."

In equity markets, Associated British Foods was in the red even as it lifted its annual guidance as it said third-quarter sales at fashion chain Primark grew 13%, driven by strong summer sales and higher prices as customers seek value for money amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Lloyds was under the cosh after a downgrade to 'underweight' from 'neutral' at JPMorgan.

Cineworld tumbled after saying it will file for administration as part of a proposed restructuring plan.

On the upside, Aston Martin surged to the top of the FTSE 250 as the luxury car maker said it was entering the electric vehicle market after signing a strategic supply agreement with Lucid Group.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,434.14 -0.37% FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,873.58 -1.04% techMARK (TASX) 4,446.94 -0.78%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Whitbread (WTB) 3,328.00p 1.74% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 259.60p 0.93% B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI) (BME) 574.20p 0.74% Land Securities Group (LAND) 563.60p 0.71% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,462.00p 0.65% Endeavour Mining (EDV) 1,898.00p 0.64% Next (NXT) 6,652.00p 0.60% Anglo American (AAL) 2,261.00p 0.58% Tesco (TSCO) 250.20p 0.56% Glencore (GLEN) 435.00p 0.54%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 41.40p -2.17% Vodafone Group (VOD) 71.23p -2.01% BAE Systems (BA.) 920.60p -1.83% Melrose Industries (MRO) 485.00p -1.80% Airtel Africa (AAF) 110.00p -1.70% Smurfit Kappa Group (CDI) (SKG) 2,568.00p -1.68% Halma (HLMA) 2,221.00p -1.68% Abrdn (ABDN) 203.50p -1.45% IMI (IMI) 1,587.00p -1.43% Kingfisher (KGF) 222.00p -1.33%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 355.40p 8.62% Ferrexpo (FXPO) 91.30p 7.79% Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 2,700.00p 2.08% Spirent Communications (SPT) 170.10p 1.13% Synthomer (SYNT) 71.80p 1.13% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 187.00p 1.03% Bank of Georgia Group (BGEO) 2,995.00p 1.01% TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 550.50p 1.01% Victrex plc (VCT) 1,351.00p 0.97% Personal Assets Trust (PNL) 468.50p 0.97%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Molten Ventures (GROW) 228.80p -4.75% HICL Infrastructure (HICL) 120.40p -4.44% Vesuvius (VSVS) 385.60p -4.27% Foresight Solar Fund Limited (FSFL) 94.40p -4.26% Digital 9 Infrastructure NPV (DGI9) 65.50p -4.10% Bluefield Solar Income Fund Limited (BSIF) 113.00p -4.07% The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited (TRIG) 108.00p -3.91% Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT) 87.00p -3.65% Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited (BCPT) 64.50p -3.59% Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 193.20p -3.50%