London stocks held modest gains by midday Thursday as upbeat UK GDP data bolstered sentiment. Growth reached 0.7% in Q1, with strength in services and production offsetting weakness in education and telecoms. JD Sports, Serco, National Grid, and Aviva advanced, while 3i Group, BP, and Shell came under pressure.

Asian markets slipped as tech and property names sold off, though strong jobs data lifted Australia. China’s central bank moved to support the economy with fresh liquidity and rate cuts. Meanwhile, US futures pointed lower ahead of key inflation and retail sales data.

CityCast Lunchbreak brings you a five-minute midday wrap from London’s financial district.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: FTSE up 0.1% by midday
00:20 – UK GDP Q1: Grows 0.7%, driven by services (+0.7%) and production (+1.1%)
00:55 – Movers:• JD Sports rises on Dick’s-Foot Locker deal reports• Serco wins £1bn Navy contracts• National Grid, Aviva upbeat• 3i Group disappoints• BP, Shell lower on crude weakness
02:00 – Europe: Stoxx 600 flat, awaiting Powell; Thyssenkrupp, Merck fall
02:35 – Asia markets:• Nikkei -0.98%, Shanghai -0.68%, Hang Seng -0.79%• JD.com, Longfor down sharply• ASX +0.22%, NZX +0.79% on strong jobs data• China cuts RRR, adds liquidity
04:10 – Wall Street preview: Futures down ahead of PPI, retail sales, US-Iran headlines
04:50 – Wrap-up: Back post-close with the day’s full recap