London close: Commodity concerns see stocks turn red
Tue, 25th May 2021 15:58
(Sharecast News) - London stocks closed just below the waterline on Tuesday, as investors digested fresh data on the UK s trade with the European Union, as well as the latest UK borrowing figures and retail sales data.
The FTSE 100 ended the session down 0.31% at 7,029.79, and the FTSE 250 was 0.2% weaker at 22,438.90.
Sterling was in the red as well, last trading 0.18% weaker against the dollar at $1.4132, and losing 0.31% on the euro at €1.1552. Mining stocks remain on the back foot today, with a recent Chinese bid to depress commodity prices dealing a blow to sentiment in the sector, said IG senior market analyst Joshua Mahony.
April revenue was up by around 50% compared to last year Coaches are running again after shutting during the third lockdown
National Express Group PLC (LON:NEX) said trading has improved in all of its markets as the easing of lockdown restrictions sees more people use buses again.
April revenue was up by around 50% compared to last year, the group said in a trading update, though year to date to 30 April 2021 was still 16% below twelve months ago.
In the UK, the group s coach network has reopened and is currently running 13% of pre-Covid mileage with occupancy rates of around 85% of available seats.
National Express April Revenue Up By Around 50%
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - National Express Group plc (NEX.L) reported continued improving performance trajectory across its business in the first four months of 2021 despite the ongoing lockdown restrictions.
The company s April revenue rose by around 50% compared to last year. Further, the company noted that operating profit for the period 1 January 2021 to 30 April 2021 is ahead of last year driven by the actions taken to reduce costs.
Given the ongoing restrictions on travel, the company continues to anticipate first half performance to be at least in line with that delivered in the second half of 2020.