7.00: FTSE 100 see slightly lower ahead of US CPI
FTSE 100 set to open lower on Thursday with investors nervously awaiting US CPI figures due out later today which will give a further indication to the likely path of US interest rates.
Spread betting companies are calling the lead index down by around 9 points.
US stocks ended Wednesday lower as investors digested the latest hawkish outlook from the Federal Reserve following the release of the FOMC minutes.
At the close, the S&P 500 was down 0.3% at 3,577, the Dow was 0.1% lower at 29,211, and the Nasdaq lost 0.1% to close at 10,417.
Commenting on the October meeting minutes, George Lagarias, chief economist at Mazars said: “Markets are moving much faster than policy makers can react. Rapidly widening bond market dislocations, evident also in fresh Gilt volatility, probably render the Fed's September Minutes immaterial."
In London, trading updates are from Hays PLC, Entain PLC and Easyjet PLC amongst others.