G.morning. As viral cases continue to rise, the FTSE 100 opens firmly in red.
After being encouraged by positive vaccine news earlier in the week, investors are turning their attention to immediate viral issues.
5 things to start your day
1) Pub and restaurant sales fell by a third in October: Strict corona virus controls in the UK cut sales in pubs and restaurants by a third in October, according to the latest data.
2) Sunak reduces stimulus note as economic recovery fades: Sunak stimulates consumer spending with a new multi-billion pound payment after the economic recovery has almost stopped.
3) New Asta owners sell shares in Forex Empire: Petrol pump executives who bought Asta for $ 6.8 billion last month have sold a stake in their business EG Group and raised hundreds of millions.
4) National Express to take students home for Christmas: The National Express, also known as “Operation Chris Rhea”, is a large-scale repatriation of university students to return home safely for the Christmas festivities.
5) Standard Life Aberdeen emphasizes the need for employer offices: Stephen Byrd launched an attack on full-time homework, claiming it was essential for new ideas, and the city split over the future of the office.
It happened overnight
Shares in Asia fell on Friday following sell-offs in the US and Europe as investors feared the economic impact of a rapid rise in corona virus infections.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, in a discussion with other central bankers on Thursday, said progress on developing a corona virus vaccine was welcome news, but as infections accelerate, there are economic risks nearby, which underscores the need for additional government stimulus.
Against that backdrop, the broader index of Asian stocks outside the MSCI, Japan, fell 0.25 per cent in early trade.
Chinese blue chips led to losses, falling 1.21 pc. Australian stocks were down 0.47 pc, Seoul Cosby 0.16 pc and Hong Cheng 0.55 pc.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.95 pc.
Some investors saw buying opportunity in the downturn.
Coming up today
Corporate: None of the FTSE 350 companies reported.
Economy: Second estimate of GDP (Eurozone); Manufacturer prices (Us)
