The FTSE 100 started the final trading day of the week on a weaker note, mirroring the pessimistic sentiment across Europe as investors braced for the latest Eurozone inflation numbers. The pound also plodded against the US dollar, extending its recent slide.
At 08:12 GMT, London’s blue-chip index fell 0.2%, while the pound edged 0.03% lower against the dollar to $1.31.
Across Europe, major indices followed suit, Germany’s DAX dropped 0.3%, and France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.05%, reflecting the cautious mood sweeping through global markets.
UK House Prices Continue to Rise
Despite the broader request apprehension, Britain’s property sector showed surprising adaptability. According to Nationwide’s latest House Price Index, UK house prices rose 2.4 times in October, up from 2.2 times in September.
Every month, prices climbed 0.3, following a 0.5 gain the previous month. That pushes the average UK home price to £272,226.
Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, commented that the housing sector had shown steady footing despite wider economic uncertainty.
“The housing market has remained stable in recent months despite challenging economic conditions,” he said.
TT Electronics Fends Off Takeover Bids
Elsewhere in the corporate world, TT Electronics Plc (LON: TTG) confirmed that it had rejected three unsolicited takeover proposals from private equity group DBAY Advisors. The latest offer valued the firm at 130 pence per share.
However, the British manufacturer remains in favor of a 155 pence per share bid from Swiss-based Cicor Technologies, unveiled just a day earlier.
The Swiss proposal represents a 19% premium over DBAY’s most recent approach, signaling stronger confidence in TT’s long-term prospects.
Raspberry Pi CFO to Exit in 2026
Tech firm Raspberry Pi Holdings PLC (LON: RPI) also made headlines after announcing the planned departure of its Chief Financial Officer. Richard Boult will step down in the second half of 2026, following seven years with the company.
Boult joined the low-cost computing pioneer in 2019 and played a key role in its London Stock Exchange listing. His departure marks the beginning of what could be a gradual reshuffle at the top of one of the UK’s most innovative tech firms.
Moonpig’s New Chief Executive Named
Meanwhile, online greeting card giant Moonpig Group PLC (LON: MOONM) revealed that Catherine Faiers, currently COO at Auto Trader, will take over as its new CEO.
Faiers will succeed Nickyl Raithatha, who announced his decision to step down earlier this year. Her appointment signals a strategic shift for Moonpig, which has been expanding beyond cards into gifts and digital personalization.
Investor Focus
The FTSE 100’s dip reflects broader investor caution as markets wait for the Eurozone CPI data, which could shape expectations for future interest rate moves by the European Central Bank.
The weaker pound is another piece of the puzzle, often a reflection of both global risk sentiment and domestic uncertainty.
For investors, these mixed signals serve as a reminder of how interconnected global markets have become. Short-term jitters aside, analysts still point to opportunities, especially among UK-listed firms with strong international earnings exposure.
In the meantime, as one trader in London put it, “Everyone’s waiting for inflation to give direction — until then, it’s a game of patience.”
