FTSE 100 to open flat amid growing fears of delay to easing of Covid rules

he FTSE 100 was set for another slow start to trading today amid increasing talk of a delay to relaxing the Covid lockdown rules in the UK.

Reports suggested ministers were becoming increasingly pessimistic about the data around the new strains of the virus, with various Cabinet sources today quoted as saying a delay of between two weeks and a month was now likely to allow more time for vaccines to be rolled out.

Boris Johnson is expected to make a formal announcement on Monday, when its social distancing review is published ahead of the June 21 plan to end social distancing in pubs and restaurants.

Government scientific advisers Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Valance yesterday expressed reservations about the timetable in a briefing to ministers described as “fairly grim” by sources speaking to The Times.

Leisure and retail shares could respond negatively to the news today although such pessimism may already be priced in, given that concerns have been repeatedly voiced about the current timetable.

Elsewhere in markets, concerns continue over the ever-present question of whether…