20 January 2021 | 08:45am
StockMarketWire.com - UK stocks edged lower in early trading on Wednesday as a soaring Covid-19 casehold stokes concerns that Britain s third nationwide lockdown won t be ending any time soon, tempering US stimulus hopes.
At 0825, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 5.22 points, or less than 0.1%, at 6,707.73.
Home secretary Priti Patel warned the national lockdown has a long way to go before being lifted, in an interview with Sky News.
In a busy morning for the mining sector, BHP firmed 1.5% to £21.425 after it reported a 3% rise in fourth-quarter iron ore output on a year-on-year basis, plus higher production of copper, offset by lower oil and gas output.
20 January 2021 | 12:07pm
StockMarketWire.com - All eyes were on Washington as president-elect Joe Biden prepared for his inauguration later on Wednesday. However the FTSE 100 struggled to muster any enthusiasm trading a smidge lower at 6,711.13 by midday.
US futures suggested a more bullish feel to trading on Wall Street amid excitement over a potential spending spree from the incoming administration.
In a busy morning for the mining sector, BHP firmed 2.4% to £21.63 after it reported a 3% rise in fourth-quarter iron ore output on a year-on-year basis, plus higher production of copper, offset by lower oil and gas output.
BHP also upped its iron ore production guidance for 2021, narrowed its copper guidance and cut its energy coal guidance.