The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 6,099.80 up with +0.88% percent or +53.30  point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 4,498.34 up with +5.16% percent or +220.71 point. The DAX Futures is trading at 11,180.80 up with +0.93% or +103.20 point. The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 2,926.00 up with +0.76% percent or +22.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

In corporate news, tobacco giant Imperial Brands slashed its dividend by a third as it tried to speed up debt reduction and strengthen its balance sheet, although it did not cite the coronavirus as a reason.

The interim dividend was cut to 41.7p a share from 62.56p a year ago, implying an annual payout of 137.7p. Adjusted operating profit fell 7.7% to £1.47bn.

Imperial said the dividend cut was not driven by Covid-19, “although, the current uncertainties caused by Covid-19, as well as the ongoing regulatory focus on tobacco, further reinforces the importance of a strong balance sheet to underscore the defensive characteristics of our business”.

YESTERDAY ACTIVITY

For the day the FTSE 100 closed at 6,097.31 up with +0.81% percent or +48.72 point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 4,498.34 up with +5.16% percent or +220.71 point.Germany’s DAX closed at 11,058.87 up with +5.67% percent or +593.70 point.

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 24,597.37 up with +3.85% percent or +911.95 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,953.91  up with +3.15%percent or +90.21 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 9,234.83 up with +2.44% percent or +220.27 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 20,433.45 up with +1.49% percent or +299.72 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 24,430.15 up with 2.05% percent or +490.18  point. China’s Shanghai  Composite is trading at 2,898.58 up  with +0.81% percent or +23.16 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 30,531.67 up with +1.67% percent or +502.69  point at 12:15 PM.