Montague Pitman Stockbrokers

Yesterday's Market / Overnight News
London Stocks End Sharply Lower 1650 GMT [Dow Jones] FTSE 100 ends in the red, showing weakness through the day, as concerns over Greece's credit outlook continue to rattle investors' nerves, and weak US new home sales data disappoints, traders say. Mining stocks continue to impede the blue-chip index's progress on concerns that the Chinese authorities will introduce further measures aimed at cooling down the country's overheating economy. Xstrata ends -3.1% and Anglo American -3.1%. Traders now look to US Fed's rate setting decision at 1915 GMT. For Thursday, there is little UK economic data expected, but eyes will turn to US durable goods and initial jobless claims data, both at 1330 GMT.

Market Today
0701 GMT [Dow Jones] London's FTSE 100 is expected to open up 50 points at 5267.5, says James Hughes at CMC Markets. This follows the higher close on Wall Street as the Federal Reserve keeps the interest rate near zero, and as Asian equity markets also have a positive session. There is plenty of earnings news out of the UK, including AstraZeneca's FY results, BSkyB's interim results and Mitchells & Butlers 1Q trading update. There is no UK-specific economic news on the agenda. US durable goods orders and initial jobless claims will be in focus at 1330 GMT.