The FTSE 100 pulled back by 0.5% this morning from Monday’s close of 6,522.2 following a 1.3% jump the day before.

“Investors banking on a ‘Santa Rally’ would have been encouraged by the strong start to the week European indices have enjoyed,” said Max Cohen, Financial Sales Trader at Spreadex, before the open.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing weakness in European futures this morning as we prepare for Tuesday’s open as investors continue to gauge the outlook for US stimulus before the Federal Reserve meets today.”

Investors will be looking ahead to inflation figures from the States out later on, with many hoping that below-par price rises will keep the Fed from tapering stimulus, even though most other economic data seems to be pointing in the right direction.

“This is why today’s US consumer price index numbers could well be instructive in that regard with expectations that the November numbers could well see a rise from 1% to 1.3% on annualised basis,” said Chief Market Analyst Michael Hewson from CMC Markets.

RSA in focus after credit ratings downgrades

RSA Insurance was making gains this morning but continues to trade well below levels seen last week after Friday’s profit warning and resignation of its Chief Executive. The company was hit by two credit ratings downgrades yesterday evening, from S&P and Fitch.

“Both moves reflect RSA’s weaker capital position and uncertainty over its ability to rebuild capital strength through retained earnings,” explained analysts at Barclays this morning. The bank maintained its ‘underweight’ rating on the stock, saying that it will need to raise equity to rectify its capital shortfall, “which risks a spiralling decline in stock price”.

Temporary power and temperature control group Aggreko was among the heaviest fallers, retreating after a stellar rise the day before as it said that full-year results would be slightly ahead of expectations.

Barclays fell after calling for the US courts to block energy regulators from collecting $488m of fines for electricity trading market manipulation.

Pharmaceuticals group GlaxoSmithKline declined early on after Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to ‘sell’.

Mining stocks were broadly lower this morning as investors scaled back risk ahead of the Fed meeting. Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Kenmare Resources were among the worst performers.

Telecoms group Cable & Wireless Communications was continuing to rise on speculation that it could be a takeover target of US giant AT&T.

FTSE 100 – Risers

RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 90.95p +0.94%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 708.00p +0.78%
Reed Elsevier (REL) 865.50p +0.76%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 384.40p +0.63%
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 455.90p +0.62%
BT Group (BT.A) 373.10p +0.30%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,288.00p +0.23%
BAE Systems (BA.) 437.90p +0.23%
Shire Plc (SHP) 2,789.00p +0.14%
TUI Travel (TT.) 390.50p +0.13%

FTSE 100 – Fallers

Aggreko (AGK) 1,611.00p -2.07%
Admiral Group (ADM) 1,238.00p -1.82%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,271.00p -1.74%
CRH (CRH) 1,463.00p -1.61%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,135.00p -1.56%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 786.00p -1.38%
BP (BP.) 467.15p -1.28%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,452.00p -1.22%
BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,772.50p -1.14%
Barclays (BARC) 252.30p -1.08%

Source: ShareCast