Unlock Premium Data: Up to 50% Off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Insurers, oil majors put FTSE 100 on track for weekly losses

Published 03/04/2020, 08:29
Updated 03/04/2020, 08:30
© Reuters.
UK100
-
BP
-
PRU
-
SHEL
-
LGEN
-
AV
-
BAES
-
FTMC
-

(For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon
news window)
* FTSE 100 down 1.2%, FTSE 250 drops 1.1%

April 3 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 fell on Friday as oil
stocks retreated after a strong showing in the previous session,
while insurers tumbled after their European Union counterparts
were asked to suspend dividend payments to weather the economic
hit from the coronavirus crisis.
The blue-chip index .FTSE fell 1.2% by 0817 GMT, with
shares in Legal & General LGEN.L , Aviva AV.L and Prudential
PRU.L falling between 2.6% and 6% after the EU regulator asked
insurers and reinsurers to temporarily suspend dividends and
share buybacks. Shares in BP BP.L and Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L fell
about 3%, with oil prices flat amid doubts over whether a deal
to call off the Saudi-Russian price war would go ahead if the
U.S. does not scale back output. [ O/R ]
The domestically focused midcap index .FTMC dropped 1.1%.
Both the major indexes are on course to log weekly losses as
data from across the world confirmed investor fears of a sharp
economic slump driven by the pandemic.
After Thursday's numbers showed another record surge in U.S.
weekly jobless claims, investors are now waiting for data on
European services sector activity for March.
Defence company BAE Systems BAES.L dropped 2.1% on
deferring a decision on whether to pay its dividend and said it
had launched cost control measures after seeing significant
disruption.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.