London open: Markets bounce off five-month lows

21st Jun 2013 08:31

Markets opened in positive territory on Friday as the FTSE 100 attempted to rebound after a dramatic three per cent cent drop the day before following the Federal Reserve's announcement to scale back stimulus later this year.London's benchmark index tumbled an eye-watering 189 points on Thursday, falling 2.98% to 6,160 as markets reacted to comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who said that quantitative easing could come to a complete halt in 2014 if the economic recovery gains momentum. Disappointing factory-activity data from China also hammered sentiment yesterday, sending the UK index to lows not seen since mid-January."Investors seemed to be astonished by the announcement despite the fact that officials have been alluding to the possibility in recent times," said Financial Trader Shavaz Dhalla from Spreadex. "Indeed pragmatists would be quick to point out that eventually the stimulus measures would have to end and at least the measures are ending in the context of an improving US economy."China was again in focus today on concerns over a credit crunch after interbank funding rates reached record highs yesterday. Rates have pulled back sharply today with reports suggested that the People's Bank of China could have intervened.Miners edge higher after sell-offMining stocks, which bore the brunt of the selling pressure yesterday, were attempting to rebound this morning as bargain-hunters stepped in. EVRAZ, Rio Tinto, Randgold, Polymetal and Antofagasta were among the best performers.Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton rose after saying that it has sold further 15% of its Jimblebar iron ore project to Japanese companies Itochu and Mitsui for $1.5bn.Aberdeen Asset Management and Man Group, two stocks that have also recently been battered by the ongoing market volatility, were also making gains this morning.Oil and gas group Afren was in the red after Jefferies downgraded the stock from 'buy' to 'hold'. In contrast, Desire Petroleum was in demand after the same broker raised its rating from 'underperform' to 'hold'.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lombard Medical's next-generation Aorflex delivery system for commercial use, a major milestone for the AIM-listed medical technology firm, causing shares to riser early on.Online dating group Cupid fell after seeing half-year earnings more than halve despite decent top-line growth as it spent more on improving its offering.FTSE 100 - RisersInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 1,801.00p +2.04%Polymetal International (POLY) 551.50p +1.94%Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,720.50p +1.72%Admiral Group (ADM) 1,315.00p +1.70%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,368.00p +1.68%Prudential (PRU) 1,055.00p +1.64%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 62.22p +1.62%TUI Travel (TT.) 345.70p +1.56%Antofagasta (ANTO) 836.50p +1.46%Evraz (EVR) 111.80p +1.36%FTSE 100 - FallersMelrose Industries (MRO) 235.40p -2.24%Meggitt (MGGT) 518.50p -0.77%BG Group (BG.) 1,174.00p -0.76%Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 427.60p -0.56%Croda International (CRDA) 2,392.00p -0.50%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 302.20p -0.49%Fresnillo (FRES) 956.00p -0.47%Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 2,301.00p -0.43%Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,271.00p -0.31%Severn Trent (SVT) 1,638.00p -0.30%FTSE 250 - RisersImagination Technologies Group (IMG) 322.30p +5.19%NMC Health (NMC) 300.10p +4.78%Man Group (EMG) 81.85p +4.07%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 36.10p +2.70%Ocado Group (OCDO) 300.90p +2.38%Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Ltd. (GSS) 500.00p +2.17%Beazley (BEZ) 221.50p +2.12%Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 371.90p +2.00%International Personal Finance (IPF) 490.00p +2.00%Barr (A.G.) (BAG) 514.00p +1.98%FTSE 250 - FallersTalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 225.70p -3.92%SDL (SDL) 280.90p -2.50%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 186.80p -2.40%Afren (AFR) 122.00p -1.13%Caledonia Investments (CLDN) 1,821.00p -1.09%Inchcape (INCH) 508.00p -1.07%Rank Group (RNK) 150.40p -1.05%Schroder Asia Pacific Fund (SDP) 239.00p -1.04%Utilico Emerging Markets Ltd (DI) (UEM) 171.14p -1.02%Worldwide Healthcare Trust (WWH) 1,020.00p -0.97%