4th Dec 2024 06:51
(Alliance News) - London's FTSE 100 was called to open lower ahead of another batch of US labour market data in the afternoon, and a key vote for the future of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier later.
IG says futures indicate the FTSE 100 to open 28.8 points lower, 0.3%, at 8,330.61 on Wednesday. The index of London large-caps closed up 46.52 points, 0.6%, at 8,359.41 on Tuesday.
Equities in New York ended mixed again. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.2%, the S&P 500 rose slightly and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.4%.
In Asia, the Shanghai Composite was down 0.6% and the Hang Seng Index 0.1% lower. The Nikkei 225 was up 0.1% in Tokyo, though Sydney's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.4%.
"Markets didn't do especially much of interest yesterday and, although a busy data docket awaits today, the mood among participants is one of waiting patiently for Friday's US jobs report," Pepperstone Analyst Michael Brown commented.
"The latest US [job openings and labour turnover survey] job openings figure was relatively solid, surprising to the upside of expectations at 7.744 million in October – of course, the print references the employment situation on the last working day of the month, so likely wasn't as skewed by weather and industrial action as the October nonfarm payrolls print proved to be. In any case, the quits rate rose to 2.1%, its highest level since May, perhaps indicating improving sentiment among employees about the state of the labour market."
Wednesday's economic calendar has the ADP US jobs report at 1315 GMT. It is expected to show private sector employment increased by 150,000 last month, according to FXStreet cited consensus, easing from 233,000 in October.
Elsewhere, there are services purchasing managers' index readings from the eurozone at 0900 GMT, the UK at 0930 and a pair from the US at 1445 and 1500.
The pound was quoted at USD1.2690 early Wednesday, rising from USD1.2660 at the time of the London equities close on Tuesday. The euro stood at USD1.0517, nudging slightly higher from USD1.0513. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JPY149.94, up from JPY149.44.
France's government on Wednesday faces no confidence votes that could spell the end of the short-lived administration of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, plunging the country into uncharted waters of political chaos.
The toppling of the Barnier government after just three months in office would present President Emmanuel Macron with an unenviable dilemma over how to go forwards and who to appoint in his place.
The National Assembly is due to debate two motions brought by the hard-left and far-right in a standoff with Barnier over the budget, which saw the premier force through the social security budget without a vote.
The far-right National Rally, RN, of three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is expected to vote for the motion put forwards by the left, giving it enough numbers to pass.
Brent oil was quoted at USD73.79 a barrel early Wednesday, climbing from USD73.67 late on Tuesday. Gold was higher at USD2,650.11 an ounce from USD2,644.88.
Wednesday's UK corporate calendar sees full-year results from extracts and ingredients manufacturer Treatt.
By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
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