17 March 2021 | 12:11pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 slumped by lunchtime ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting later and as Germany downgraded growth forecasts. At midday the index was down 0.6% to 6,763.43.
Any sign that the Fed might ease off on its dovish stance on interest rates would indicate the US economy was on the mend, but could spook markets grown accustomed to an abundance of cheap credit.
Wealth management company Hargreaves Lansdown climbed 0.9% to £15.63, having upgraded its profit outlook after reporting elevated share dealing volumes since the end of January.
Hargreaves Lansdown now expected pre-tax profit for the year through June 2021 modestly above the top end of analyst expectations ranging from £334 million to £360 million.
17 March 2021 | 16:37pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 closed down 0.6% to 6,762.67 as bond market jitters returned ahead of a key meeting of the US Federal Reserve. By 4.30pm UK time the US S&P 500 index was itself down 0.4% to 3,945.39.
Any sign that the Fed might ease off on its dovish stance on interest rates would indicate the US economy was on the mend, but could spook markets grown accustomed to an abundance of cheap credit.
Fantasy miniatures group Games Workshop fell 7.3% to £94.35 after a brief update which confirmed a dividend payment to shareholders but said trading would be in line subject to notwithstanding store closures and distribution disruption .