FTSE 100 slumps as Ukraine war fears mount

Good early morning.

We commence the working day with a bullish update from Reckitt Benckiser, which seems to be shrugging off the inflation fears hitting its rivals.

The client merchandise team claimed it’s concentrating on higher gain margins in 2022 even though costs are growing at an “unparalleled” amount. It’s set to elevate costs for buyers to reach this.

The Dettol maker documented greater income in the final quarter of final 12 months many thanks to more powerful demand from customers for its chilly and flu goods.

5 matters to get started your day 

1) Former Kazakh dictator managed £6bn empire from Britain  A Uk entity was at the centre of the financial passions of a key ally of Vladimir Putin 

2) Sky to hike broadband and Tv expenses for hundreds of thousands of customers  Households deal with increases of up to £43 a calendar year amid price tag of dwelling crisis 

3) Sir Nick Clegg promoted to deal with Facebook’s mounting problems  The former deputy key minister will turn into president of international affairs at Meta

4) EU claims it really is ready if Russia ‘weaponises’ gasoline supplies  Ursula von der Leyen suggests other nations agree to step up exports to the bloc

5) Google launches advert blocking application on Android telephones in privacy crackdown  The program will limit the details that can be sent to third functions

What happened overnight 

Asian stock markets adopted Wall Road larger on Thursday soon after Federal Reserve policymakers indicated they are leaning toward extra decisive motion on inflation but set no firm targets.

Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney state-of-the-art when Tokyo declined. Oil selling prices, which have been risky thanks to anxiousness above a probable Russian invasion of Ukraine, fell by virtually $2 for every barrel.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose .3computer system to 3,474.98 and the Cling Seng in Hong Kong received .3laptop to 24,793.12. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo lose .2personal computer to 27,395.85 immediately after January exports rose by a weaker-than-anticipated 9.6computer more than a yr previously.

The Kospi in Seoul advanced 1.4pc just after the governing administration reported the overall economy extra 1.1 million employment in January and the unemployment price edged lower.

Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 was .5personal computer higher at 7,323.80. New Zealand and Singapore rose while Jakarta retreated.

On Wall Avenue, the S&P 500 rose to 4,475.01. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained slipped .2personal computer to 34,934.27 the Nasdaq composite fell .1laptop to 14,124.09.

Coming up right now

• Corporate: Reckitt Benckiser, Normal Chartered, Moneysupermarket (Complete-year benefits) Aveva, Safestore (Trading update)
• Economics: Economic bulletin (EU), building permits (US), housing starts (US), jobless claims (US), Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey (US)