FTSE 100 watch: US-China trade deal worries and ex-divs hit Footsie

The UK benchmark index has fallen into the red this Thursday, pressured by stocks going ex-dividend, and with investors awaiting news over the trade relations between the US and China. In individual movers, NMC Health (LON:NMC) has posted a heavy loss after updating investors on its full-year performance.

FTSE 100 drops

As of 12:28 GMT, the Footsie had given up 26.94 points to stand 0.37 percent lower at 7,169.06. A host of companies, whose shares are trading without the attraction of their latest dividend in today’s session, are pressuring the blue-chip index. Market sentiment around the world has further been subdued with investors awaiting trade developments between the US and China.

“Pessimism over the size and shape of any US-China trade deal appears to be growing, despite the repeated rhetoric from ‘sources’ that an agreement is close,” James Hughes of Axi Trader commented, as quoted by Proactive Investors.

Footsie movers

In individual movers, NMC Health’s share price has tumbled 7.95 percent to 2,761.60p even as it posted a rise in full-year revenue and profits. Reuters quoted analysts at Jefferies as commenting that the healthcare provider’s adjusted earnings per share were lower than their consensus as financial charges were much higher than expected.

Aviva (LON:AV) has been another prominent Footsie faller after cautioning that  it will be ‘difficult to sustain momentum’ this year, amid Brexit worries. The blue-chip group’s shares are currently 3.90 percent lower at 416.40p.

FTSE 100 peer Admiral (LON:ADM) meanwhile is down 4.43 percent down at 2,094.00p as it cautioned on risks associated with the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The FTSE 100 index was 0.35 percent down at 7,170.68 points as of 12:44 GMT on Thursday, 07 March 2019.