UK 100

The FTSE was unable to add to its gains from the day before, after the Bank of England cut rates by 25 basis points in a close decision that, on balance, appeared less dovish than the vote split would have had you believed. A sharp drop in Japanese shares overnight dented investor confidence somewhat, which came hot on the heels of a technology-fuelled rally on Wall Street on Wednesday.

Today, millions of UK citizens are heading to polling stations to vote in the general elections, while the US is out celebrating Independence Day. Then it is all about the French legislative election on Sunday, which can arguably have a bigger influence on the FTSE 100 forecast than the UK vote today.

The FTSE moved moderately higher after the UK’s inflation rate fell to the Bank of England’s 2% target ahead of for the central bank’s rate section on Thursday.

Dovish BoE sends UK stocks higher and pound lower. Today also saw SNB cut rates while bets over ECB cuts increased on the back of poor PMI data. FTSE analysis shows a clear breakout and point to a new all time high.

UK stocks track Chinese markets and commodities higher. Rising commodity and precious metals prices should support mining stocks, plenty of which are constituents of the FTSE. Meanwhile, technical analysis suggests the UK stock index could finally join global rally.

China’s export jump is a positive sign for demand. Rising commodity prices should support mining stocks in the FTSE. Meanwhile, technical outlook point higher for the UK index.

FTSE 100 attempts to join global rally, boosted by China's efforts to shore up its economy. China FTSE A50 analysis shows Chinese stocks are responding positively to needs China has set a 5% GDP target, which will needs policy support ‘from all fronts’

HSBC and Glencore shares drop on disappointing earnings, although the overall positive appetite for global stocks and China’s latest efforts to shore up its stock market keeps the FTSE’s downside limited, as attention turns to the upcoming earnings results from Nvidia after the close.

FTSE continues to underperform European and US markets, with new records or multi-year highs set for mainland European indices after S&P crossed 5K. Yet the FTSE was lower again. Still, UK stocks are at “record cheap” levels ahead of busy week of data.

FTSE analysis: Why has UK 100 struggled? Top-tier Chinese, UK and US data could ignite much-needed momentum into the FTSE this week, as technical analysis suggests bulls may still be clinging on...

Disappointing Eurozone data put some pressure on European indices on Thursday morning, following the sizeable rally in Europe and US the day before. This saw major European indices drop sharply this morning, led by a 2% fall in Spain’s Ibex. But the FTSE was holding its own relatively better, as rebounding crude oil helped to fuel a rally in energy stocks.