UKX FTSE 100 Index

By Emily Horton

London markets fell on Monday, as British politicians gear up for a crucial vote on the terms of Brexit later this month.

U.K.investors were also preparing themselves for a week of retailer trading statements, with a number of leading supermarkets set to announce their crucial Christmas figures.

What did markets do?

The FTSE 100 dropped by 0.3% to 6,815.29 after finishing up 1.5% for the week on Friday. The pound rose to $1.2739 from $1.2722.

What is driving the markets?

(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-gains-312000-jobs-in-final-month-of-2018-soaring-above-wall-street-forecast-2019-01-04)The U.K. government has returned from its holiday break, with Brexit discussions poised to start again and reignite investor concerns over the country's exit from Europe in March.

U.K. markets are awaiting post-Christmas trading updates from supermarkets Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), J Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN) and Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN) this week.

In the U.S., strong jobs data (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-gains-312000-jobs-in-final-month-of-2018-soaring-above-wall-street-forecast-2019-01-04) has dampened investor concerns that the Federal Reserve is being overly optimistic in its plans to continue raising interest rates in 2019.

Trade talks between the U.S. and China are set to restart but the two sides face potentially lengthy debate over technology and the future of their economic relationship (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-optimistic-about-upcoming-trade-talks-with-china-i-really-believe-they-want-to-make-a-deal-2019-01-06).

What stocks are active?

Supermarket stocks performed well on Monday, with J Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN) notching a 3% gain. Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN) jumped by almost 2% and Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN) stocks rose by just over 1%.

Miner Fresnillo PLC (FRES.LN) added 3%.

Energy giant Centrica PLC (CNA.LN) struggled, falling by 5%. Hotel provider InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) lost close to 3%.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 07, 2019 06:36 ET (11:36 GMT)

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