DAILY ROUNDUP - Pre-Market Open London stocks are set for a firmer start on Friday, with the FTSE 100 called around 36 points higher at 10,716 despite a deepening global bond sell-off, with US Treasury yields surging as investors increase expectations for further Federal Reserve tightening. The US 10-year yield climbed as high as 5.22%, its highest level since 2007, while the 30-year reached 5.5%, levels not seen since 2004. Geopolitics remains firmly in focus after Saudi Arabia intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles amid escalating fighting in Yemen, while France has announced plans to deploy military assets to help protect the strategically important Red Sea oil hub at Yanbu. Brent crude eased from Thursday’s levels but remained elevated at around $104.93 a barrel. Meanwhile, Iran has presented the US with a proposed seven-day plan that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and renewed negotiations. Wall Street finished modestly lower overnight, while Asian markets were mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei up 1.3% and Hong Kong down 1.4%. Sterling traded around $1.3219, gold strengthened to approximately $4,273 an ounce, and UK consumer confidence improved slightly in September to -13. Attention later today turns to US durable goods orders.

DAILY ROUNDUP - Pre-Market Open London stocks are set for a stronger start on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 called around 38 points higher at 10,747 after slipping 0.3% on Tuesday, as investors respond to renewed diplomatic contact between the US and Iran and await a fresh round of flash PMI data. US and Iranian officials held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, with President Donald Trump subsequently saying discussions were continuing and that he believed a settlement could ultimately be reached, although significant differences remain. Wall Street finished mixed, with the Dow down 0.4%, the S&P 500 broadly flat and Nasdaq up 0.5%, while Asian markets were weaker in China and Hong Kong and Tokyo remained closed for a public holiday. Brent crude eased below $99 a barrel to around $98.49, gold held around $4,329 an ounce and sterling traded near $1.3315. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has meanwhile confirmed that artificial intelligence will be a central focus of the UK’s 2027 G20 presidency, with the government seeking international cooperation on AI standards and safety. Attention today turns to flash PMI readings from France, Germany, the eurozone, UK and US, while JD Sports Fashion, Renishaw, Time Finance and Warpaint London are among the companies reporting.

DAILY ROUNDUP - Pre-Market Open London stocks are set for another positive start on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 called around 18 points higher at 10,757 after gaining 0.8% on Monday, as renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and easing oil prices support risk appetite. Wall Street rallied overnight after Meta’s latest AI agent, Muse AI, climbed mobile app charts, helping Meta shares surge 11% and driving the Nasdaq 2.3% higher, while the S&P 500 gained 1.5% and the Dow added 0.7%. Brent crude traded around $101.72 a barrel, well below the near-$110 levels seen last week, as increased Saudi oil flows helped offset continuing concerns around disruption in the Gulf. Asian markets were modestly positive, with Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney higher while Tokyo remained closed for a public holiday. Sterling strengthened slightly to around $1.3382 and €1.1661, US 10-year Treasury yields eased to 4.96%, and gold fell to approximately $4,326 an ounce. In the UK, attention turns to public-sector borrowing figures following renewed scrutiny of the Chancellor’s fiscal headroom, while investors will also be watching the Richmond Fed manufacturing index in the US later today.