FTSE 100 opens lower as tariff uncertainty weighs; Bunzl sinks but CPI surprises - Market Report
Published: 04:15 16 Apr 2025 EDT
The FTSE 100 followed US and Asian markets lower this morning, as global tariff negotiations continue to create uncertainty.
Just over an hour into trading the blue-chip index was 68 points, or 0.83% lower, at 8,181.
Distributor Bunzl PLC (LSE:BNZL) is a big faller, down 23% after reporting a "significant" fall in profit in the first quarter and cutting its guidance for the year.
Barratt Redrow PLC (LSE:BTRW) has reported a solid trading performance for the 13 weeks to end-March, with 3,717 home completions in the period to bringing the year-to-date figure to 10,563.
WH Smith PLC (LSE:SMWH) has posted interim results showing a slight slowing in sales growth for its core ongoing business, as it prepares to part ways with its High Street arm.
And good news for the Bank of England. UK consumer price inflation eased to 0.3% month on month in March, from 0.4% the previous month, with the consumer price index up 2.6% year-on-year, which was down from 2.8% the prior month and below the 2.7% consensus forecast.
