London’s blue chips opened flat after an underwhelming trading update from oil giant BP. The FTSE 100 was up just one point at 8,194 in the early exchanges with a dull read on retail sales also dampening the mood. BP dropped more than 2.5% as it said production would be flat this quarter with gas and other alternatives the main cause. Retail sales meanwhile dropped 0.5% like-for-like due to the persistent rain, reversing the 0.4% rise seen in May. Expectations had been for a 0.2% increase. Café/bar chain Loungers shrugged off the wet weather to post record sales and profits in its latest year helped by a spate of new openings. The Cosy Club owner said since the year end it had opened five more sites to add to 36 last year with sales up 5% like-for-like so far. Housebuilder Vistry reported completions were up 7% in its first half as it welcomed Labour’s plans to boost the building of more homes. #ProactiveInvestors #marketreport #ftse #ftse100 #footsie #bp #retailsales #Loungers #CosyClub #vistry #invest #investing #investment #investor #stockmarket #stocks #stock #stockmarketnews