CMC Markets provides some reassurance on trading

Calming investor fears that trading may be deteriorating, CMC Markets on Thursday suggested the situation had not worsened.

As it went into its pre-close period ahead of its 30 September half-year, the spread betting and forex trading provider said its expectations "remain in line" with its announcement earlier in the month.

Shares in CMC had crumbled from 280p to below 210p after it warned on 7 September that net operating income would be lower in the first half as "low levels of volatility are providing fewer trading opportunities for clients", hitting the value of client trades.

CMC said this was a problem it "in line with many competitors" and while some analysts said it was puzzling, given that the period included the EU referendum, others were confident that it was not the start of a downgrade cycle.

Having sunk to the lowest level since its February flotation of 206.4p on Wednesday, the stock rebounded to 211.4p by 0820 BST on Thursday, a rise of 2% on the day.