Morning Markets: Broker notes weigh heavy on FTSE

clock

Broker downgrades and companies going ex-dividend pulled the FTSE index 25 points, or 0.4% lower this morning.

The main London index traded at 5,755.5 shortly before 9am. Prudential dropped 15p, or 2.6% to 562p, while Pearson shed 21p, or 2% to reach £10.29 after each went ex-dividend. British Land, which also went ex-dividend and was downgraded by UBS, shed 2.1% of its value to 479.9p. Rivals Hammerson and Land Securities, however, each received new buy recommendations from UBS. This sent Land Securities up 2.8% to 701p, on top of its 4% gain yesterday. Hammerson rose by 2.1% to 405.7p. Meanwhile, an upgrade to buy from Citi boosted Next, rising 1.5% to £22.43 Man Group rose furth...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Reeves warns 'unwise to speculate' on Iran conflict's impact on UK economy

Reeves warns 'unwise to speculate' on Iran conflict's impact on UK economy

Treasury Committee hearing

Michael Nelson
clock 11 March 2026 • 2 min read
Fahad Hassan: Gulf crisis reshapes inflationary outlook

Fahad Hassan: Gulf crisis reshapes inflationary outlook

'This is an old-fashioned economic shock'

Fahad Hassan
clock 10 March 2026 • 3 min read
Spring Statement 26: Key takeaways from Reeves' latest fiscal update

Spring Statement 26: Key takeaways from Reeves' latest fiscal update

Markets digest uneventful Statement

Linus Uhlig
clock 04 March 2026 • 4 min read