The FT reported shares in companies making computer chips suffered a blow after the US commerce department revealed that companies would now need a licence to sell Huawei any chip that was made using US equipment or software. Japan’s Topix index fell 0.5 percent in early trading this morning. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 went up by 0.1 percent.
China’s CSI 300 index of Shanghai and Shenzhen-listed stocks fell 0.2 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.2 percent.
Meanwhile, Wall Street’s S&P 500 rose by 0.3 percent.
S&P 500 futures did not see much change.
London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.5 percent.
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8.30am update: FTSE drops on open
FTSE has dropped on open this morning, mirroring a pattern that has plagued the UK index in recent weeks.
The index closed yesterday on 6,127, after shaking off early jitters to rise from 6,090.
This morning the FTSE has already dropped to 6,075, wiping out yesterday’s gains.
5.31am update: European shares closed higher yesterday as China-exposed miners jumped on fresh stimulus
Travel and leisure stocks .SXTP fell 1.5 percent, continuing to slide after Britain added France and other countries to its quarantine list last week.
Adding to the sector’s woes, Italy reimposed restrictions like shutting discos and clubs over the weekend and Germany declared nearly all of Spain, including the tourist island of Mallorca, a coronavirus risk region.
British Airways-owner IAG (ICAG.L) fell 5.3 percent and InterContinental Hotels (IHG.L), which runs the Crowne Plaza brand, slipped 2.4 percent as Britain saw a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases.
EasyJet (EZJ.L) was down 4.6% on news it would close three of its bases in Britain, while Ryanair (RYA.I) said it would reduce its flight capacity by a further 20 percent during September and October.