London pre-open: Stocks to fall after hitting fresh highs

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to fall at the open on Thursday following fresh highs for the top-flight index a day earlier.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around 25 points lower.

Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, said: "Another light-ish calendar ahead today, as the ongoing US government shutdown continues to leave us in a data vacuum, and with a resolution on that front still elusive.

"As for scheduled events, monetary policy will be the main focus, not only amid the release of minutes from the September ECB meeting, but also with four FOMC speakers due, including Chair Powell. Before anyone gets too excited, though, Powell will be delivering welcoming remarks at a community banking conference, hence any fresh hints on the policy outlook are likely to be very thin on the ground indeed."

In corporate news, Lloyds said it will need "material" additional provisions to provide redress to customers in the motor finance mis-selling scandal.

The Financial Conduct Authority ruled this week that lenders would have to pay out �11bn including costs in compensation after finding "widespread failings" in how motor finance firms disclosed commission payments and commercial ties between lenders and brokers on agreements signed between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.

Lloyds, which has already put aside �1.2bn to cover possible costs, said it was still reviewing the regulator's proposals but predicted that additional provisions would be required.

Food and beverage outlet operator SSP said that both revenue and profits had increased in the year ended 30 September, despite a moderation in passenger number growth in the second half.

Full-year revenues were seen roughly 8% higher year-on-year at approximately �3.7bn, while operating profits were expected to be around �230m, up 11% on FY24. Operating margins were expected to have risen 20 basis points to roughly 6.2%.