Rising metal prices and homebuilders investigation weigh on London shares

Today, weak copper prices – caused by the rising inventories in China - are adding pressure to miners. This morning, Rio Tinto and Anglo American fell 1.7%, while Glencore was down 1.2%

Homebuilders are also underperforming due to an investigation by the UK antitrust watchdog's into into eight firms in the sector to establish if sensitive commercial information was shared between them.

Today, investors will be scrutinizing comments from Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden and chief economist Huw Pill, seeking clues about the timing of rate cuts.

UBS revised price targets for several FTSE 100 companies, including cuts for United Utilities and Severn Trent, and increases for Barclays and Lloyds Banking.

Among corporate news, AstraZeneca's blood disease treatment, Voydeya, was recommended for EU approval. Jubilee Metals reported a strong interim performance and is optimistic about the outlook. Meanwhile, Bunzl raised dividend following a profit increase and announced the acquisitions of Nisbets and Pamark.

Things to read today:

• A tale of two bull markets (Financial Times)
• Seniors Sit on the Answer to the UK Housing Shortage (Bloomberg)
• Interesting and sometimes bizarre interview with the head of Nvidia (Wired).
• How Donald Trump became unbeatable (The Atlantic).
• Which AI-induced risks really matter (Project Syndicate).
• The best passages from Warren Buffett's 59 letters to shareholders (Wall Street Journal).