London pre-open: Stocks to recover after Monday's bloodbath

8th Apr 2025 07:35

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to recover at the open on Tuesday following a dismal session a day earlier, which saw the top-flight index close down 4.4% as the Trump tariff selloff continued.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around 150 points higher.

Investors will be mulling the latest development in Trump's trade war, after China said it would "fight to the end" as Washington threatened an additional 50% tariff if Beijing went ahead with retaliatory measures of its own against American imports.

US President Donald Trump made the threat late on Monday, a move described as "a mistake on top of a mistake, which once again exposes the US's blackmailing nature", Agence France-Presse quoted a Commerce Ministry spokesperson as saying on Tuesday.

"China will never accept this. If the US insists on going its own way, China will fight it to the end. If the US escalates its tariff measures, China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests."

In corporate news, Hilton Foods said it was on track to deliver 2025 earnings in line with guidance after a sharp jump in profits last year, driven by its core retail meat business which outperformed total market growth in every region.

The company posted a 25% rise in pre-tax earnings to £61m and hiked its dividend 7.8% to 34.5p.

The chief financial officer of Howden Joinery Group is to step down, the blue chip kitchen supplier confirmed on Tuesday, to be replaced by Coats Group's Jackie Callaway.

Paul Hayes, 58, will retire as finance chief and from the board at the end of May, following five years in the role.

He will be replaced by Callaway, who currently holds the same position at textiles specialist Coats Group.

Unite Group reported strong demand for the 2025-2026 academic year in an update, with 75% of beds already sold, and rental growth of 4% to 5% and occupancy of 97% to 98% expected.

The student accommodation provider said it was advancing a new joint venture with Manchester Metropolitan University and progressing multiple development projects, despite some planning delays.

Quarterly property valuations rose modestly, with the Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund (USAF) and London Student Accommodation Joint Venture (LSAV) increasing by 0.7% and 0.8% respectively, driven by rental growth and stable to slightly higher yields.