FTSE 100 softer in light holiday trade; more retail jobs on the line – Market Report [Video]

London’s FTSE 100 opened lower in light holiday trade.

The blue-chip index shed 30 points to 8118, with all but ten stocks starting the day in the red.

Rolls Royce led the decliners following yesterday’s air crash in South Korea, while housebuilders Barratt Redrow and Berkeley Group were among the few risers.

Among the smaller companies, Arecor Therapeutics jumped over 3% after it announced an exclusive licensing agreement for AT351, a ready-to-dilute liquid drug formulation.

Finally, a report from the Centre for Retail Research and Altus Group (TSX:AIF) forecasts that more jobs are on the line in the retail sector as companies continue to try to work with as few humans as possible.

A total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year, up 42% compared to last year and the worst year since 2020. The report suggests 2025 could be even worse due to the recent changes announced in the Chancellor’s budget.