London pre-open: Stocks set to dip at start of session
By Alexander Bueso
Date: Tuesday 22 Jul 2025
(Sharecast News) - Stocks in the UK look set to start slightly lower on Tuesday, despite the record highs notched up overnight by the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite in the US.
As of 0716 BST, futures tracking the FTSE 100 were drifting 21.0 points lower to 8,988.0.
On Monday, the benchmark S&P 500 settled above the 6,300 point level for the first time ever, although the breadth of stocks' advance continued to be quite narrow.
On the economic calendar for later in the session, Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, was scheduled to deliver remarks at a conference in Washington D.C. from 1230 BST.
Earlier, at 0915 BST, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey was also set to take to the podium at 0915 BST.
The Office for National Statistics reported an increase in the UK's public sector net borrowing requirement from £17.44bn in May to £20.68bn for June (consensus: £15.6bn).
Light session for corporate news
Food services business Compass Group upgrading FY25 profit guidance due to strong organic growth and a better-than-expected M&A performance. Compass Group also announced it has agreed to acquire Vermaat Groep, a leading premium food services business in Europe, for approximately €1.5bn.
Drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Tuesday that it plans to invest $50.0bn in the US for medicines manufacturing and R&D by 2030. AstraZeneca said its investment will support its ambition to reach $80.0bn in revenues by 2030, with 50% generated in the US.
Inchcape has agreed to acquire Icelandic automotive distributor Askja for an undisclosed sum. Askja generated revenue of £150.0m in fiscal 2024 and employs 260 people. During FY24, Iceland's total industry volume for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles was around 12,000 units, of which Askja holds a 16% market share, Inchcape said.
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