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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

FTSE 100 futures hit two-month high

IG’s FTSE 100 pre-market estimates indicate that the benchmark is poised to open higher on Labour Day Eve.

Source: Bloomberg

FTSE 100 futures at a two-month peak

UK benchmark FTSE 100 index rallied a further 1.6% overnight to pre-coronavirus levels, IG data show.

IG's FTSE 100 futures price estimates showed that the index soared to a two-month high, as it increased by roughly 100 points to push north of 6200 as at 00:00 GMT on Thursday 30 April 2020.

This is the first time since 09 March 2020 – when the Covid-19 pandemic became widespread in the UK – that the FTSE has gone above 6000 points.

IG offers extended hours trading options for the FTSE 100 index and other major indices. Buy long or sell short on the FTSE 100 via CFDs and other instruments provided by IG's market-leading trading solution. Start today by opening an IG account.

FTSE gains as infection rates decelerate

The overnight gains have come ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting later Thursday to discuss the pandemic’s impact on the US economy.

New positive data out of US drugmaker Gilead Sciences’ phase three trial of the investigational Covid-19 antiviral remdesivir in hospitalised patients with severe manifestations of the disease, also appeared to have aided market sentiment.

According to Gilead, the study was able to demonstrate that patients receiving a 10-day treatment course of remdesivir achieved similar improvement in clinical status compared with those taking a 5-day treatment course. More than half of patients in both treatment groups were discharged from the hospital by Day 14.

Adding to this bout of optimism were news that several mainland European countries have begun to ease up their lockdown measures with infection rates slowing down.

In the UK, infection rates slowed down to under 5000 a day for the fifth straight day on Wednesday 29 April. There are now over 165,000 confirmed cases and over 26,000 deaths.

This run of good form had begun last Friday 24 April after oil prices rebounded, allowing for FTSE 100 oil and gas components like BP and Royal Dutch Shell to boost the overall benchmark.

Are you bullish or bearish on the FTSE 100? Either way, you can buy long or sell short on the FTSE 100 index and other indices using CFDs and other instruments offered on IG's world-leading trading platform. Start today by opening an IG account.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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