London open: Stocks fall as China protests dent sentiment

(Sharecast News) - London stocks fell in early trade on Monday as sentiment was hit by anti-lockdown protests in China. At 0830 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.6% at 7,439.47.

Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said: "Rare protests have broken out across major Chinese cities in a backlash against the ongoing draconian zero-tolerance to Covid approach from the authorities that has inhibited the freedoms of Chinese citizens since the start of 2020 and has sharply damaged China's economy.

"As a result, international investors have become a lot more cautious towards China with the unrest weighing on the Shanghai Composite, the Hang Seng Index and the Chinese yuan in today's trade.

"In mid-November China reduced its quarantine time for international travel by two days, suggesting that Beijing was finally starting to ease its strict lockdown measures, lifting travel and casino stocks amid optimism towards the potential economic reopening. However, that optimism has faded fast with China recording another record high level of covid infections on Monday, adding to the sense of frustration driving this weekend's protests.

"While most other nations have reopened their economies with life returning to normal, China is left facing heavy handed restrictions prompting unrest across the country. The expectation is that Beijing will continue with its tough measures until March or April resulting in more lockdowns and more pressure on growth."

In equity markets, Shell, BP, Harbour Energy, Wood Group and Tullow were under the cosh, with oil prices sharply lower as the protests in China sparked demand worries. Brent crude was down 3% to its lowest level since January.

Miners - which are also heavily dependent on demand from China - fell, with Glencore, Rio, Antofagasta and Anglo American all down.

Housebuilder Persimmon was under pressure after a downgrade to 'sell' at UBS. The sector more broadly was hit after property website Zoopla said people selling homes have been having to settle for below the asking price in recent weeks. Zoopla also predicted that house prices will decline by around 5% next year.

Elsewhere, car dealership Inchcape was weaker as it said group chief financial officer Gijsbert de Zoeten had voluntarily tendered his resignation and will be standing down with immediate effect. "This follows an incident at a recent event where, through a lapse in judgement, he displayed personal behaviour falling short of the high standards expected of the leadership of the group," it said.

On the upside, Just Group rallied after an initiation at 'buy' at Jefferies.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,439.47 -0.63% FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,445.59 -0.51% techMARK (TASX) 4,426.54 -0.13%

FTSE 100 - Risers

SEGRO (SGRO) 834.00p 0.72% Experian (EXPN) 2,965.00p 0.68% Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH) 2,778.00p 0.58% United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,070.00p 0.52% Sage Group (SGE) 816.20p 0.44% Flutter Entertainment (CDI) (FLTR) 11,845.00p 0.42% Land Securities Group (LAND) 634.60p 0.41% RS Group (RS1) 945.00p 0.37% AstraZeneca (AZN) 10,994.00p 0.37% Bunzl (BNZL) 3,111.00p 0.35%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Persimmon (PSN) 1,297.00p -2.37% British American Tobacco (BATS) 3,279.50p -2.26% BP (BP.) 477.30p -2.26% Shell (SHEL) 2,315.00p -2.20% Harbour Energy (HBR) 303.20p -2.16% Standard Chartered (STAN) 579.00p -1.86% Imperial Brands (IMB) 2,089.00p -1.74% HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 484.40p -1.53% Ocado Group (OCDO) 640.00p -1.51% Anglo American (AAL) 3,156.00p -1.50%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Just Group (JUST) 74.00p 1.65% FDM Group (Holdings) (FDM) 747.00p 1.63% Trainline (TRN) 337.90p 1.41% Tritax Eurobox (GBP) (EBOX) 66.60p 1.22% TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 2,205.00p 1.15% VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. (VOF) 414.50p 1.10% Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited NPV (SONG) 84.40p 1.08% LXI Reit (LXI) 122.00p 0.99% 4Imprint Group (FOUR) 4,030.00p 0.75% WH Smith (SMWH) 1,398.50p 0.72%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Home Reit (HOME) 55.50p -7.04% Energean (ENOG) 1,367.00p -4.34% Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 204.00p -3.77% IP Group (IPO) 66.20p -3.71% Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 989.50p -3.37% Wood Group (John) (WG.) 158.30p -3.33% Abrdn (ABDN) 208.30p -2.80% Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 123.45p -2.80% 888 Holdings (DI) (888) 100.60p -2.71% Future (FUTR) 1,508.00p -2.46%