Proactive Investors - The FTSE 100 is expected to open slightly lower on Wednesday after heavy falls in US markets after data showed a drop in consumer confidence adding to nerves over a possible government shutdown.
Spread betting companies are calling London’s lead index down by around 3 points after closing 1.73 points higher at 7,625.72 on Tuesday.
Ipek Ozkardeskaya senior analyst at Swissquote Bank said: “Investors continue to dump stocks and buy US dollars on looming uncertainty regarding whether the US government will be shut in three days.”
“There is progress regarding a 6-week short-term funding deal, but getting an approval from the Senate will be a challenge,” she said.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 1.1%, the S&P 500 fell 1.5% and the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.6%.
Back in London, and the early focus will be updates from Saga, Old Mutual and Everyman Media.