London midday: Stocks rise but gains pared after UK GDP data

UK stocks rose again on Tuesday as the pre-Christmas rally continued, though gains were trimmed by lunchtime after some disappointing data.

On a day lacking of corporate news, investors were also showing caution ahead of a flurry of economic indicators Stateside. Stock futures on Wall Street were only slightly higher after the S&P 500 registered its 50th record close of the year on Monday.

London’s FTSE 100 index was up 0.4% at 6,600 by midday, having pulled back slightly after reaching an intraday high of 6,620.47 early on. Nevertheless, the index was still trading at a two-week high after finishing Monday’s session at its best level since 8 December.

Gains were pared slightly after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) surprisingly revised down its UK gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimates for the last five quarters.

While UK economic growth of 0.7% in the third quarter (Q3) was confirmed and unrevised from the initial estimate published last month, ONS said GDP in volume terms between Q3 2013 and Q3 2014 increased by 2.6%, compared with the initial estimate of 3%.

"The latest set of national accounts leave the UK’s economic recovery looking more fragile than it seemed before," said economist Sam Tombs from Capital Economics.

US GDP is also out but is expected to be revised to show 4.3% annualised growth in the third quarter, up from the previous estimate of 3.9%. US durable goods, consumer confidence, new home sales and personal spending figures are also on tap for Tuesday afternoon.

Thorntons plummets after profit warning

Annual profits will be lower than expected at Thorntons as the confectioner warned of a "significant reduction" in orders from major supermarkets and a problem with its warehouse distribution. The stock dropped by over a fifth after the retailer said earnings for the full year were to be "below those achieved for the last financial year”.

Cameroon-focused oil explorer Bowleven jumped after being allowed extra time for the completion of the farm-out agreement over its Etinde project as it continued to sweat over presidential approval.

Other oil and gas-related stocks were largely higher after Brent crude rose 1.3% to $60.86 a barrel, with Weir Group, Tullow, Premier Oil and Petrofac making decent gains.

Market Movers
techMARK 2,964.73 +0.18%
FTSE 100 6,600.46 +0.36%
FTSE 250 16,034.86 +0.27%

FTSE 100 - Risers
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,929.00p +2.93%
Tesco (TSCO) 185.75p +2.62%
TUI AG Reg Shs (Post- 16/12/14)(DI) (TUIJ) 1,064.00p +2.50%
Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 180.20p +2.39%
Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,102.00p +1.85%
ARM Holdings (ARM) 993.00p +1.79%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 708.00p +1.72%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 413.50p +1.60%
CRH (CRH) 1,534.00p +1.46%
Centrica (CNA) 281.30p +1.44%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 5,210.00p -1.88%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,564.00p -1.82%
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 134.10p -1.76%
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 458.40p -1.61%
BG Group (BG.) 878.70p -0.84%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,101.00p -0.63%
British Land Co (BLND) 775.00p -0.51%
Intu Properties (INTU) 336.80p -0.47%
Pearson (PSON) 1,176.00p -0.42%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,171.00p -0.34%

FTSE 250 - Risers
Supergroup (SGP) 902.00p +3.74%
Serco Group (SRP) 162.30p +3.64%
Premier Oil (PMO) 171.80p +3.49%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 728.50p +3.41%
Zoopla Property Group (WI) (ZPLA) 206.00p +2.90%
Vesuvius (VSVS) 437.70p +2.60%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 894.50p +2.58%
Enterprise Inns (ETI) 112.60p +2.36%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 365.00p +2.33%
SSP Group (SSPG) 286.60p +2.28%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Infinis Energy (INFI) 214.10p -3.25%
RPS Group (RPS) 202.40p -3.25%
Greggs (GRG) 715.00p -3.05%
Jimmy Choo (CHOO) 170.00p -2.86%
Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 867.00p -1.87%
Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 688.00p -1.57%
AO World (AO.) 274.90p -1.54%
Riverstone Energy Limited (RSE) 861.50p -1.54%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,031.00p -1.46%
RPC Group (RPC) 509.50p -1.45%