LONDON (ShareCast) - UK stocks opened higher on Friday morning and were on track to hit a two-week high ahead of another busy day for economic data.
The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.41% at 7,042.57 early on, helped by decent gains from blue chips Vodafone and HSBC and the heavyweight mining sector.
The index has not closed higher than this level since 8 May when it settled at 7,046.82.
On the calendar for Friday key speeches from Mario Draghi, Mark Carney and Janet Yellen today, with the US consumer price index (CPI) at 13:30 trying to steal the spotlight. The US CPI print is forecast to show that the annual rate of inflation worsened to -0.2% in April from -0.1% in March.
UK borrowing figures and the German IFO business sentiment index will also be released.
Macro indicators came in mixed the previous session, with manufacturing purchasing managers' indices from across the globe moving in opposite directions. Markit's Eurozone manufacturing PMI unexpectedly jumped to a 13-month high of 52.3, the HSBC China manufacturing PMI improved less than expected to 49.1, while the Markit US manufacturing PMI fell to a 16-month low of 53.8.
Other data from the US also disappointed: jobless claims increased a little more than forecast, existing-home sales showed a surprise slump, while the Philly Fed and Chicago Fed activity indices both missed estimates.
Nevertheless, Wall Street stocks gained on Thursday night, sending the S&P 500 to a fresh record closing high of 2,130.82 after minutes from the Fed's latest meeting - released on Wednesday - showed that a June rate hike was unlikely.
HSBC gains on potential Brazilian sale
HSBC rose after confirming rumours that it is looking at a possible disposal of its Brazilian operations, though it has not yet made a decision. Recent reports suggested that Banco Santander's Brazilian unit could be a potential buyer.
Mining stocks were snapped up early on, with Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Fresnillo all on the rise as metal prices advanced. BHP was also up after Investec upgraded the shares to 'hold'.
Oil major BP was also on the rise after analysts at JPMorgan Cazenove lifted their stance on the stock to 'neutral' and raised their target price from 410p to 450p.
Meanwhile, Vodafone's stock continued its surge this week as speculation continues about a merger or partial take over by Liberty Global. Comments from Goldman Sachs were also probably helping, as the US bank kept a 'buy' rating and said: "[Vodafone's] challenges in Germany are being addressed, and guidance for falling capex/sales appears robust."
Shareholders of Costa and Premier Inn owner Whitbread gave a cool reaction to the news that the company has appointed Alison Brittain, current head of Lloyds's high street banking division, as its new chief executive. Whitbread's current chief, Andy Harrison, announced his retirement last month.
Utility company Severn Trent disappointed with a 53.5% drop in full-year pre-tax profit, pointing to a fair value loss on financial instruments, largely due to lower expectations for future interest rates and an exceptional tax credit in the previous year.
Merchant bank Close Brothers was in demand after enjoying a good third quarter's trading as investor risk appetite returned and its core banking division booked a solid performance.
Market Movers
techMARK 3,299.04 +0.39%
FTSE 100 7,042.57 +0.41%
FTSE 250 18,215.52 +0.34%
FTSE 100 - Risers
Vodafone Group (VOD) 252.60p +4.16%
Dixons Carphone (DC.) 468.80p +1.58%
Fresnillo (FRES) 771.50p +1.38%
Travis Perkins (TPK) 2,203.00p +1.24%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,071.50p +1.18%
Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 3,327.00p +1.12%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,486.00p +1.09%
Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 182.20p +1.05%
BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,418.50p +1.00%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,757.00p +0.93%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,164.00p -0.82%
ARM Holdings (ARM) 1,111.00p -0.80%
BT Group (BT.A) 455.60p -0.77%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,601.00p -0.56%
Intu Properties (INTU) 341.40p -0.55%
WPP (WPP) 1,560.00p -0.38%
Whitbread (WTB) 5,240.00p -0.38%
Pearson (PSON) 1,337.00p -0.37%
ITV (ITV) 266.90p -0.37%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,185.00p -0.34%
FTSE 250 - Risers
Just Eat (JE.) 447.10p +3.11%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 654.00p +2.99%
Evraz (EVR) 186.00p +2.65%
NMC Health (NMC) 851.00p +2.47%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 393.20p +2.24%
Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 511.00p +2.10%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 956.50p +1.97%
Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 151.20p +1.89%
Indivior (INDV) 233.60p +1.57%
Investec (INVP) 649.00p +1.56%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 234.20p -2.09%
PayPoint (PAY) 890.00p -1.55%
Booker Group (BOK) 167.50p -1.47%
Computacenter (CCC) 718.50p -1.44%
Countrywide (CWD) 576.00p -1.37%
Ted Baker (TED) 2,836.00p -0.98%
Cranswick (CWK) 1,580.00p -0.88%
Laird (LRD) 376.30p -0.82%
Greencore Group (GNC) 350.00p -0.82%
Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 212.00p -0.66%
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