London midday: Stocks rebound strongly from three-month low

10th Oct 2013 11:16

UK markets jumped strongly on Thursday morning following three straight days of losses as hopes build over a resolution to the political deadlock in Washington and the continuation of monetary stimulus by the Federal Reserve.After hitting a three-month low yesterday, the FTSE 100 rebounded strong this morning, rising as much as 1.1% by midday as bargain hunters stepped. The index ended at 6,337.91 on Wednesday afternoon, its worst level since July 3rd.As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to hold the Bank Rate at 0.5%. The central bank has vowed to maintain the rate at its record low until the unemployment rate falls from its current level of 7.7% to 7%. The MPC also kept its asset purchase programme unchanged at £375bn. Signs of progress in Washington; taper could be delayedThe government shutdown, entering its 10th day on Thursday, is still weighing heavily on the minds of investors, but some small signs of progress were lifting sentiment this morning. According to reports, House Republicans are now warming to the idea put forward by President Barack Obama to have a short-term increase in the debt ceiling while leaders continue to wrangle over the budget and a deficit-reduction plan. However, Obama continues to reiterate that the reopening of government would come without conditions to change policy."All this essentially means is that negotiations will be delayed by a couple of months, at best, and we'll be back in the same situation again come Christmas," said Market Analyst Craig Erlam from Alpari. "Unfortunately though, under the circumstances that is a positive thing, not just for the financial markets but the global economy, which would suffer hugely if the US was forced to default on its debt."Markets were also reacting to last night's minutes of the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting which showed that most members at the central bank still thought it would be appropriate to begin tapering quantitative easing before the end of the year. However, given that the meeting took place before the government shutdown, many now believe that a taper could be delayed until next year.Analyst Michael Gapen from Barclays said: "the ongoing federal government shutdown and upcoming expiration of the debt ceiling suggests that the decision to taper could be pushed into 2014. A sooner resolution to the fiscal risks that cloud the outlook could keep December on the table, but a longer stalemate could dampen growth sufficiently and lead to a tapering in Q1 14 or later."Also spurring hopes for a continuation of stimulus was yesterday's nomination of well-known dove Janet Yellen as the next chair of the US Federal Reserve. Yellen will be the first female at the head of the US central bank and has been an advocate of the aggressive monetary easing started by her predecessor, Ben Bernanke, who steps down on January 31st 2014.FTSE 100: Persimmon extends recent gains House builder Persimmon was a high riser this morning as optimism over the government's 'Help to Buy' scheme continues to help the stock bounce off recent lows. The share price has now gained over 10% over the last two days.Asset management firm Schroders was higher after earlier this week launching the Global Recovery Fund, a new type of fund that favours "deeply unloved" stocks that people have overlooked in the hope that they will outperform in an economic recovery.British banking giant RBS was also performing well this morning, along with domestic peers Lloyds and Barclays.Household utility giant SSE was flat after revealing that electricity and gas tariffs are to rise by an average 8.2% from November as the company attempts to pass on rising wholesale energy costs to customers. Sector peers Centrica and United Utilities however gained this morning.Industrial conglomerate Melrose Industries was in demand after saying it was selling Crosby and Acco to private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for £627.3m. It said it would use the proceeds to pay down debt and fund a return of capital "in due course".FTSE 250: WH Smiths jumps on buybackNewsagent WH Smith surged after booking a full-year profit ahead of expectations, lifting its final dividend 15% and announcing a further £50m share buyback. Pre-tax profit rose 6% to £108m for the year ended August 31st while total sales fell 5% to £1.18bn. Information and events group Informa sunk after the news that its Finance Director Adam Walker will move over to aerospace giant GKN to replace William Seeger. Westhouse Securities was also weighing on the stock this morning after downgrading its rating to 'neutral'.Catalogue and internet shopping firm N Brown was extending losses after its first-half results yesterday. Citigroup retained its 'neutral' rating for the stock this morning, choosing to sit on the fence with the stock trading at 14 times earnings.FTSE 100 - RisersPersimmon (PSN) 1,186.00p +4.86%Whitbread (WTB) 3,107.00p +3.84%easyJet (EZJ) 1,256.00p +3.29%ARM Holdings (ARM) 976.50p +3.28%GKN (GKN) 354.30p +3.23%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 381.50p +3.19%Prudential (PRU) 1,173.00p +3.08%Aggreko (AGK) 1,503.00p +2.87%Pearson (PSON) 1,289.00p +2.79%Schroders (SDR) 2,561.00p +2.73%FTSE 100 - FallersG4S (GFS) 237.70p -0.54%GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,542.00p -0.52%National Grid (NG.) 743.00p -0.07%Unilever (ULVR) 2,350.00p -0.04%FTSE 250 - RisersKeller Group (KLR) 1,014.00p +7.87%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 282.10p +7.63%Lonmin (LMI) 324.10p +6.02%Restaurant Group (RTN) 547.00p +5.60%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 160.40p +4.84%WH Smith (SMWH) 872.50p +4.49%Fenner (FENR) 396.40p +4.07%Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 325.50p +4.03%Pace (PIC) 259.20p +3.89%Ladbrokes (LAD) 186.80p +3.89%FTSE 250 - FallersBrown (N.) Group (BWNG) 475.00p -2.86%Informa (INF) 500.50p -1.86%Perform Group (PER) 550.50p -1.52%Moneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 143.90p -1.24%Supergroup (SGP) 1,056.00p -1.22%Inmarsat (ISAT) 696.50p -1.21%Telecity Group (TCY) 762.50p -0.97%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,053.00p -0.85%Ocado Group (OCDO) 443.80p -0.74%Dialight (DIA) 1,172.00p -0.68%BC