London’s FTSE 100 is expected to open sharply higher on Thursday, 12 November, as investors await key UK economic growth figures, while renewed uncertainty surrounding Nvidia’s leadership and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran threaten to unsettle global markets.
Futures indicate that the FTSE 100 will gain around 82.7 points, or 0.8%, to 10,918.17, extending Wednesday’s advance when Britain’s blue-chip index closed 83.88 points higher at 10,835.47.
UK gross domestic product figures are due at 7 am GMT, with economists forecasting that the economy stagnated in September following modest growth of 0.1% in August.
Preliminary third-quarter figures are expected to show GDP growth accelerating to 0.7% from 0.5% in the second quarter, while annual growth is forecast to strengthen to 1.9% from 1.4%.
Meanwhile, industrial production is expected to decline 0.3% month-on-month in September, reversing part of August’s 0.8% increase. The UK’s goods trade deficit is forecast to reach approximately £19.2 billion.
The figures will provide an important indication of economic conditions following the Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates to 4%, with investors assessing whether stronger growth and persistent inflation could justify further monetary tightening.
Sterling weakened to $1.3258 against the US dollar, compared with $1.3284 at Wednesday’s London close, while slipping to €1.1968 against the euro.
Wall Street finished Wednesday higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.5%, the S&P 500 rising 1.3% and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 1.6%.
However, Nvidia shares plunged approximately 8.6% in after-hours trading following reports that the semiconductor company’s board was considering the future of Chief Executive Jensen Huang.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Nvidia directors were preparing to discuss Huang’s position following allegations concerning his personal conduct and possible exposure to a foreign intelligence operation.
The reports follow an earlier independent investigation announced by Nvidia after Huang acknowledged an extramarital relationship with a business executive suspected by US intelligence officials of having links to China.
Additional allegations concerning a relationship with an Nvidia employee have intensified scrutiny of the company’s leadership.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, and no final Board decision on Huang’s position has been confirmed. Nvidia has previously stated that it has no reason to believe company secrets or US national security information were compromised.
The uncertainty has created additional pressure for the artificial intelligence sector, which remains sensitive to concerns surrounding corporate governance, semiconductor exports and the sustainability of substantial data centre investment.
Asian equity markets weakened on Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 declining 0.8%, China’s Shanghai Composite falling 0.6% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng losing 0.7%.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 retreated 1.2%, reflecting broader caution following the Nvidia reports.
Japanese economic figures also showed producer prices rising 0.7% month-on-month in October, reversing September’s 0.2% decline and adding to concerns about inflationary pressures.
Brent crude traded at $92.39 a barrel, down from $94.03 late Wednesday, although geopolitical tensions remained elevated following fresh warnings from Iranian officials.
Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei threatened retaliation against US military installations outside the Middle East, including bases in Europe, if they were used to launch attacks on Iran.
The remarks highlight the continuing risk of escalation despite recent diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
Gold declined to $3,974.10 an ounce, compared with $4,000.66 on Wednesday, as the stronger dollar and expectations of further US interest rate increases weighed on precious metals.
European political developments will also attract attention as leaders gather in Dublin for the European Political Community summit.
The meeting will focus on regional security, economic cooperation and the war in Ukraine, with renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving progress towards a negotiated settlement.
The gathering also provides an opportunity for discussions about closer UK-EU relations and future economic cooperation.
Thursday’s corporate calendar includes half-year results from Burberry, B&M European Value Retail, United Utilities, Wizz Air and Young & Co’s Brewery, alongside full-year results from WH Smith.
Rolls-Royce is also scheduled to publish a trading update, which could influence sentiment towards the aerospace and defence sector.
In the United States, investors will assess weekly jobless claims and existing home sales figures for further indications of labour market conditions and economic activity.
The FTSE 100’s anticipated 83-point opening gain would bring the index close to 10,920, supported by Wednesday’s positive momentum on Wall Street.
However, the UK growth figures, Nvidia’s leadership uncertainty and geopolitical tensions involving Iran remain significant influences on market sentiment.
The immediate focus will be whether London’s blue-chip index can sustain its expected opening gains as investors digest the latest economic releases and corporate trading updates.
