London’s blue-chip stocks are expected to begin Thursday flat after mixed trading in Asia followed a positive US session.
On Wall Street last night there were yet more new record highs, as a rally in tech stocks set a new high tide mark for the NASDAQ.
Notably Apple gained almost 2%, as the NASDAQ climbed 1.5% to 5,106.
The S&P 500 also gained, rising almost 1% to 2,123, while the Dow Jones added around 0.7% to 18,162.
In Asia, a stronger US dollar (versus the Yen) helped Japanese stocks rise for a tenth straight session with the Nikkei up about 0.3% to 20,528.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was lower, however, falling 1.8% to 27,582 while the Shanghai Composite was down 1.9% to 4,847.
Aussie stocks also stepped into negative territory, with the ASX 200 down 0.13% to 5.717.
In the commodities market the gold price was up slightly, rising a few dollars, to US$1,188 while the oil was lower again with Brent crude sliding almost 2% to US$62.50.
Equities in London are seen basically flat. Spreadbetting and CFD firm IG Markets sees the FTSE 100 down just 1 point at 7,030 to 7,035.
IG (LON:IGG) itself is expected to among the handful of notable corporate news stories this morning, as it is due to release a trading statement. Others include B&Q owner Kingfisher (LON:KGF) and Tate & Lyle (LON:TATE).
Announcements expected:
Interims: Signet Jewelers (LON:SIG)
Finals: Gable Holdings Inc (LON:GAH), Helical Bar (LON:HLCL), Infinis (LON:INFI), PayPoint (LON:PAY), Porta Communications (LON:PTCM), Tate & Lyle (LON:TATE)
Trading statements: IG Group (LON:IGG), Kingfisher (LON:KGF)
Economic: UK – Nationwide house prices, BBA mortgage approvals. US – Weekly jobless claims, Pending home sales.