London opened flat on Thursday, but stronger-than-expected UK GDP growth in Q1 brought a brighter tone to the day’s economic headlines. Output rose 0.7%, well ahead of forecasts, driven by strength in services and production sectors. Meanwhile, Sage and National Grid posted upbeat earnings, and B&M named a new CEO.

In global markets, Wall Street’s tech rally continued as Nvidia and Super Micro soared on Saudi AI deals. Asia traded mixed, with declines in Japan and Hong Kong but modest gains in Australia.

Start your day with CityCast AM—your five-minute financial market primer.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & FTSE opens flat after Wednesday’s decline
00:25 – UK GDP grows 0.7% in Q1, led by services and production
01:05 – B&M names retail veteran Tjeerd Jegen as CEO
01:25 – Sage H1 results: Revenues +9%, profits +16%, £200m buyback extension
02:10 – National Grid EPS beats, £60bn investment plan, 6–8% annual EPS growth outlook
02:55 – Asia-Pacific wrap:• Nikkei -1%• Hang Seng -1.1%• ASX +0.2%
03:30 – Wall Street overnight:• Nasdaq +0.7%, S&P +0.1%, Dow down• Nvidia +4%, AMD gains on export rule rollback• Super Micro +16% on $20bn Saudi AI deal
04:35 – Looking ahead: US jobless claims, PPI, and retail sales due today
05:00 – Wrap-up: Back at lunch with London updates and Asia close

Wall Street closed mixed Wednesday as tech stocks extended gains on the back of lifted AI chip export restrictions. Nvidia, AMD, and Super Micro soared on news of major Saudi deals, while eToro made its Nasdaq debut and Boeing sealed a historic jet order with Qatar Airways. Meanwhile, US housing data remained solid, supporting broader economic optimism.

In London, Burberry led the FTSE with a 17% rally following a bold restructuring plan, while Imperial Brands fell and Spirax slid on cautious guidance. We also look ahead to Thursday’s global economic data, including UK GDP, US retail sales, and eurozone employment.

CityCast Late wraps the day’s financial headlines from New York to London and beyond.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Wall Street close:• Dow -0.2%• S&P 500 +0.1%• Nasdaq +0.7%
00:25 – Market sentiment: Bullish tone, but consolidation risk
00:50 – US housing: Mortgage apps +1.1%, purchases up 2.3%, rates steady
01:30 – Tech surge:• Nvidia +4.2%• AMD +4.7%• Super Micro +15.7% on $20bn AI deal
02:15 – eToro IPO: Nasdaq debut closes up 0.97%
02:40 – Boeing lands record Qatar Airways order for up to 210 jets
03:10 – London recap:• FTSE 100 -0.21%, FTSE 250 +0.29%• Burberry +17%, Imperial Brands -7.27%, Mondi +3.2%, Spirax -6%
04:05 – Europe:• Stoxx 600 ends lower• TUI -10%, Alstom -16% on cautious guidance
04:45 – Asia market preview:• Nikkei expected down 494 pts• Hang Seng +3 pts, ASX -32 pts
05:15 – Economic preview for Thursday:• UK GDP Q1, trade balance, production• Eurozone GDP & employment• US jobless claims, PPI, retail sales
06:10 – Wrap-up: Back tomorrow with AM Citycast for the London open

London stocks closed mixed Wednesday, with Burberry rallying over 17% on restructuring plans despite a full-year loss. Imperial Brands and Spirax-Sarco tumbled after underwhelming updates, while the broader European market softened amid weaker German inflation and summer booking concerns at TUI.

We also hear from BoE policymaker Catherine Mann, who warns of stubborn inflation despite this week’s rate cut. Plus: Wall Street tech stays strong as AI export curbs ease, Super Micro lands a $20bn Saudi deal, and JD.com sinks in US trading.

CityCast PM gives you the City’s full market wrap in under 10 minutes.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & market wrap: FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 up 0.3%
00:30 – Chris Beauchamp on US vs Europe market momentum, gold outlook
01:10 – Catherine Mann: UK labour strength, inflation risks, dissent on rate cuts
01:55 – Corporate winners:
• Burberry +17.03% on restructuring news
• Mondi, M&S, Hikma gain on upgrades
02:45 – Corporate fallers:
• Imperial Brands -7.27% on profit miss, CEO change
• Spirax -6%, Compass -2.53%, Experian -2.86%, Persimmon lower post-sale
03:40 – Europe: Stoxx 600 and DAX fall, Germany inflation slows to 2.1%
04:30 – TUI -11% on bookings, Alstom -17.3% post-earnings
04:55 – Wall Street: Nasdaq up 0.7%, Dow flat, S&P +0.2%
05:20 – US housing: Mortgage apps rise, 30-year rate steady
05:45 – US stocks:
• Super Micro lands $20bn Saudi AI deal
• Nvidia, AMD rise, JD.com drops
06:20 – Wrap-up: Back after NY close with full global update

Markets in London held flat by midday Wednesday, as investors weighed corporate shakeups, inflation concerns, and fresh momentum in global tech and Asian stocks. Burberry surged despite reporting a loss, unveiling a bold turnaround strategy under new CEO Joshua Schulman. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer rebounded, and gains in Asia pointed to improving sentiment.

We also unpack the Bank of England’s cautious stance on interest rates, Imperial Brands’ profit miss and CEO exit, and strong earnings optimism in the Chinese tech space. Plus: how Nvidia and AMD’s $10bn Saudi data centre project is lifting the sector, and what India’s inflation print could mean for rates.

CityCast Lunchbreak is your midday market digest from the Square Mile.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & FTSE midday: Flat at 8,603.77
00:25 – BoE watch: Inflation still sticky, fewer rate cuts expected
01:05 – Burberry surges on turnaround plan despite £66m loss
01:55 – Movers:
• M&S rebounds post-cyber attack
• Mondi upgraded by JPMorgan
• Hikma initiated positively
• Imperial Brands dips on miss and CEO retirement
• Spirax-Sarco down on tariff-linked uncertainty
03:10 – Europe: Stoxx 600 and DAX edge lower
03:30 – Asia:
• Shanghai +0.86%, Hang Seng +2.3%
• Chinese shipping, chemicals, tech surge
• Tencent & Alibaba in focus ahead of earnings
04:45 – Asia macro:
• South Korea jobs improve
• India inflation cools to 3.16% – June rate cut eyed
05:30 – Wall Street preview: Futures cautious after Tuesday rally
• Nvidia gains on export relief
06:10 – Wrap-up: Back at close with full day recap

London markets opened lower Wednesday as investors reacted to Burberry’s sharp swing into loss and cautious trading in global equities. Meanwhile, GSK secured a $2bn deal to expand its liver disease treatment pipeline, and Imperial Brands posted steady profits despite falling revenue.

We also cover Persimmon’s £100m broadband divestment, Compass Group’s slowing growth, and early signs of recovery at Marshalls. Plus: updates from Wall Street, where Nvidia and Boeing climbed on trade and AI optimism, while UnitedHealth plunged on CEO news.

Start your day sharp with CityCast AM—your five-minute financial news briefing.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & FTSE open: Down 20 points
00:20 – Burberry reports £66m loss, warns on global tariffs
00:55 – GSK signs $2bn liver disease deal with Boston Pharmaceuticals
01:35 – Imperial Brands: Revenue down, profit up, guidance steady
02:15 – Persimmon sells FibreNest to BUUK for £100m
02:45 – Marshalls: Revenue rises, landscaping decline slows
03:10 – Compass Group: Shares fall on slower organic growth
03:45 – Asia markets: Nikkei down, Hang Seng gains 2%
04:00 – Wall Street recap: Nasdaq +1.6%, Dow slips
• UnitedHealth -17.79%
• Boeing +2.46%
• Nvidia +5.63% on Saudi chip deal
• Microsoft slightly down on job cuts
05:20 – Wrap-up: Back at lunch with more market updates

Markets closed with mixed results Tuesday as softer-than-expected US inflation data sparked hopes for rate cuts later this year. The Nasdaq surged while the Dow dipped, and the dollar weakened broadly. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth shares plunged on leadership changes, Nvidia soared on a major chip deal, and Goldman Sachs raised its S&P 500 targets alongside fresh growth forecasts.

We also cross to London, where the FTSE 250 advanced and attention turns to earnings from Compass and Burberry. Other movers include Entain, RS Group, Wickes, and Bytes Technology.

CityCast Late wraps up the global market day from New York to London in just under 10 minutes.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Wall Street closes mixed, Nasdaq leads
00:30 – CPI breakdown: Headline 2.3%, core steady, food & airfares fall
01:20 – Goldman Sachs outlook: GDP upgrade, 6,500 S&P 500 target
02:10 – Fed expectations shift: First rate cut now seen in December
02:40 – US corporate news:
• UnitedHealth sinks 18% on guidance & CEO exit
• Boeing +2.5% after China lifts aircraft delivery ban
• Nvidia +5.6% on Saudi AI chip deal
03:45 – London wrap: FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 up
• Entain, RS Group, Wickes climb
• DCC misses revenue forecasts
• Bytes slips despite dividend news
• Burberry up ahead of results
05:15 – Earnings watch: Compass & Burberry preview
06:15 – Broader Euro earnings ahead: ABN Amro, Daimler Truck, TUI & more
07:00 – Sign-off: Back before the open with Wednesday's headlines

The FTSE 100 dipped while the FTSE 250 advanced in a mixed session Tuesday, as traders digested fresh labor market data, corporate shifts, and a further easing in US-China trade tensions. China’s surprise move to lower tariffs on US goods helped lift Wall Street, but signs of a cooling UK job market tempered sentiment at home.

In this edition: UK unemployment hits 4.5%, retail sales bounce back, and sterling edges higher. We cover major movers including Entain, RS Group, DCC, and Wicks, while also unpacking Starling Bank’s regulatory setbacks. From the US: moderating CPI figures, Microsoft job cuts, and UnitedHealth shares plunge after a surprise CEO exit.

CityCast PM brings you London’s end-of-day market summary in just under ten minutes.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & FTSE recap: FTSE 100 down, FTSE 250 up00:30 – Currencies: Sterling up vs USD, down vs EUR
00:50 – China cuts US tariffs to 10%; Wall Street rallies
01:30 – UK jobs data: Pay slows, unemployment at 4.5%
02:10 – Retail sales surge 7% in April, Easter and weather cited
02:45 – Goldman Sachs upgrades UK & US growth forecasts
03:20 – Corporate updates:• Entain & RS Group upgraded• Wickes Group sales rise• DCC revenue lags expectations
04:10 – Starling Bank under CMA scrutiny over survey data
04:45 – Wall Street check-in: Nasdaq leads, Dow lags
05:10 – US CPI: Headline 2.3%, core steady at 2.8%
05:45 – Corporate news:• UnitedHealth down 14% on CEO exit• Microsoft cuts 3% of staff
06:30 – Looking ahead: Earnings from Compass & Burberry

Markets held steady at midday, with the FTSE 100 up slightly despite lingering caution over US-China trade and signs of UK labour market weakness. While the 90-day tariff truce initially lifted sentiment, investors are now weighing the long-term impact, including persistently high duties and global demand headwinds.

In this episode: the UK unemployment rate climbs to a post-2021 high, wage growth softens, and vacancies hit a three-year low. Marks & Spencer is hit by a cyberattack, Marston’s cheers investors with improved profits, and Revolution Beauty struggles to stay afloat. Plus, we check in on Asian markets, the Bank of Japan’s rate pause signals, and how Goldman Sachs is shifting its Fed outlook.

CityCast Lunchbreak brings you London’s sharpest midday market update in just five minutes.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro and FTSE midday snapshot: up 0.1%
00:30 – US-China truce details: 90-day tariff pause, limited optimism
01:15 – UK jobs report: Unemployment hits 4.5%, wage growth cools
02:00 – Business reaction: Hiring costs rising, NI impact, payroll declines
02:45 – Retail sales jump 7% in April on weather and Easter boost
03:15 – Corporate headlines:• Marks & Spencer cyberattack• Marston’s interim results beat• Revolution Beauty revenue drops, debt talks ongoing
04:00 – Asia markets: Japan rallies, Hong Kong falls, China upgraded
04:40 – BOJ policy outlook: Possible pause if US slows
05:10 – Currency and Wall Street preview:• Dollar weaker• US CPI ahead• Goldman pushes Fed cuts to December
05:40 – Closing remarks: Back later with full market wrap

The FTSE 100 is expected to open 33 points lower after a strong start to the week, as investor appetite for risk moderates. Monday's rally—driven by US-China trade relief and strong gains in mining and tech stocks—is giving way to a more cautious tone.

In today’s episode, we recap Monday’s standout performers, including Raspberry Pi and Standard Chartered, and look at what’s driving the pullback. Plus: why defensive sectors may catch a bid, and what’s next for commodities, gold, and sterling as global markets digest the truce terms.

Get your daily five-minute City open preview with CityCast AM.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Cautious tone to start Tuesday
00:25 – FTSE 100 set to open down 33 points
00:45 – Recap: Monday’s rally in mining, tech, Raspberry Pi, and banks
01:45 – Sentiment shift: Truce priced in, focus turns to follow-through
02:25 – Global reaction: Asian markets mixed, US futures flat
03:10 – Sector watch: Defensive names and gold back in play
04:10 – Today’s watchlist: Energy prices, UK data, and Fed speakers
04:50 – Wrap-up: What to expect in the day ahead