5am: What to watch on Thursday 1 May
As we move into May (don’t mow your lawns until at least next month, people), the new month brings a new round of economic data, with today’s UK figures on the manufacturing sector and bank lending.
Shares in Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) have risen by a third since the start of the year and trading around decade highs, bouncing back from each dip as investors question whether they should be, given the global recession fears triggered by US tariffs.
Not dissimilarly, London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSE:LSEG) shares hit an all-time high in early February and were not far off that level in April, with one analyst recently highlighting the group’s compelling combination of steady recurring revenue, improving profitability and potential valuation upside.
Premier Inn owner Whitbread PLC (LSE:WTB) offers a contrast, with its shares down 15% since the start of the year and almost…
