Proactive Investors - The FTSE 100 is expected to post modest losses when trading starts on Wednesday ahead of the interest rate decision in the US, due after the London close.
Spread betting companies are calling London’s lead index down by around 11 points.
US stocks closed Tuesday in the green, taking heart from lower than expected inflation figures which underpinned hopes that the US central bank will not hike interest rates today.
The data "should cement expectations for the Fed to keep rates unchanged (today) but the commentary around the decision is likely to remain hawkish", said James Knightley, chief international economist at ING.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 145.79 points, or 0.4%, at 34,212.12. The S&P advanced 30.08 points, 0.7%, at 4,369.01, and the Nasdaq Composite firmed 111.40 points, 0.8%, at 13,573.32.
Back in the UK and the early focus will be a GDP reading. Entain (LON:ENT) may attract some early attention after it, alongside its joint venture partner EMMA Capital, bought STS Holding SA, Poland’s leading sports-betting operator for £750mln.
The firm said it will launch a £600mln tender offer to help fund the deal.