Proactive Investors - FTSE 100 expected to open higher, building on yesterday’s advance, following gains in US and Asian markets and ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve minutes.Spread betting comp
Spread betting companies are calling the lead index up by around 16 points.
Michael Hewson chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK said: “As we look ahead to today’s price action and a holiday shortened US trading week, the main focus is set to be on today’s Fed minutes, as well as the latest November flash PMIs.”
The UK S&P Global/CIPS manufacturing PMI is expected to show a further contraction in the sector in November, at a reading of 45.8 points from 46.2 in October.
In the US markets staged a strong rally on Tuesday as a rebound in the oil price and an upbeat sales forecast from Best Buy provided support.
At the close the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 398 points, or 1.18%, to 34,098, the S&P 500 advanced 54 points, or 1.36%, to 4,004 and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 150 points, or 1.36%, to 11,174.
In London results are due from Halfords Group PLC (LON:HFD), Johnson Matthey PLC (LON:JMAT), Pets at Home Group PLC (LON:PETSP) and United Utilities amongst others.