More negative numbers from China put the skids under London shares on Wednesday.
The country's producer price index declined for the 43rd month in a row in September, with last month’s six-year -5.9% low matched by today’s release. Inflation also dropped 0.4% to 1.6%.
Connor Campbell at spread-betting firm Spreadex said: "Combine this with yesterday’s commodity-wobbling 20% decline in imports, and, after a fortnight’s respite, the markets are seeing a mini-revival of the Chinese-data inspired losses that came to define August and September."
The FTSE 100 Index fell 57.65 points to 6284 in early trading.
The economic focus in the UK will be firmly on the latest labour market report and wage growth in particular, which is expected to have risen in August.
On the corporate front, Domino's Pizza (LON:DOM) sizzled 140p or 15.7% to 1030p after it predicted forecast-topping annual results, following a strong third quarter.
Johnnie Walker and Guinness group Diageo (LON:DGE) fell 17p to 1826p as it said it was selling part of its wine business for £320mln.
Communications group Mobile Streams (LON:MOS) soared 4.12p or 23.7% to 21.5p after it moved into the black with a post-tax annual profit of £0.34mln against a loss of £0.55mln a year ago.
Asia-focused theme park ticketing group Galasys (LON:GLS) rose 2p to 30.5p on news of two new contracts in China worth more than £500,000.
MARKET PREVIEW
London’s blue chips were heading for a lower start after falls overnight in the US and Asia.
Financial spread bet firms see FTSE 100 opening 50 points lower, to follow the 29 point fall to 6,342 seen on Tuesday.
US markets slipped overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 50 at 17,082, with heavier falls for Nasdaq and the S&P 500.
China was again the root of the nervousness in the US, with the inflation in China easing back to 1.6% in September, while factory gate prices fell for the 43rd month in a row.
Trade data also disappointed and expectations are growing that the Chinese authorities will cut interest rates again and reduce bank reserve levels to boost economic activity.
Asian markets bore the brunt of the disappointment, with Tokyo down by more than 2% and Hong Kong just shy of 1%. Shanghai was flat.
On the corporate front, silver and gold miner Fresnillo (LON:FRES) issues a trading update, along with Domino’s Pizza (LON:DOM) and brewer Marston’s (LON:MARS).