(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors - UK) London's FTSE 100 is set to start Wednesday higher, albeit not by very much.
Economics and central bank policy remains a key focus amid continuing uncertainty not just Brexit but on a broader malaise in Europe and beyond, as well as the renewed weakness in key commodity markets.
Stress testing has put European banks back under scrutiny, meanwhile second guessing on Central Bank policy making continues to sway sentiments one way and then another.
Tomorrow brings a Bank of England rate decision where some expect to see a change for the first time in seven years with the market having fairly high hopes for a rate cut.
It makes economic stats (UK services PMI) a potential focal point, as signs of deterioration could pile on more pressure for a BoE cut.
In the markets economic worries pulled US stocks lower on Tuesday, with consumer stocks among the worst performers.
The Dow Jones dropped 90 points, 0.49%, to end the day at 18,313 while the S & P 500 lost 0.64% to 2,157 and the Nasdaq fell 0.9% to 5,137.
In Asia, the Shanghai Composite was the only notable riser, but was up just 0.11% to 2,974.
Japan's Nikkei slumped 1.4% to 16,156 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1.7% to 21,750.
Australia's ASX 200 was down 1.25% at 5,471.
Here in London, the FTSE 100 is seen only a sliver higher. Spreadbetting and CFD group IG sees the benchmark up less than 4 points at 6,646 to 6,651 about an hour before the open.
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