UK stocks declined on Wednesday as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of the release of the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting this evening.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will release details of its October meeting this afternoon as markets wait to hear about the central bank's decision to maintain its stimulus programme last month.
However, comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke last night were in focus this morning after he reiterated that any tapering of asset purchases remains dependent on incoming economic data, as he held back from shedding any light on the timetable for an impending withdrawal.
"This comes before the FOMC meetings minutes will be released later today which will undoubtedly lead to volatility as investors attempt to decipher the underlying sentiment of the FOMC," said Alex Conroy, Financial Sales Trader at Spreadex.
Retail sales, consumer price inflation and existing-home sales data is also due out today from the US this afternoon.
Meanwhile, investors closer to home will be watching closely for the release of the minutes from the Bank of England's latest policy meeting.
Source: LiveCharts
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will release details of its October meeting this afternoon as markets wait to hear about the central bank's decision to maintain its stimulus programme last month.
However, comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke last night were in focus this morning after he reiterated that any tapering of asset purchases remains dependent on incoming economic data, as he held back from shedding any light on the timetable for an impending withdrawal.
"This comes before the FOMC meetings minutes will be released later today which will undoubtedly lead to volatility as investors attempt to decipher the underlying sentiment of the FOMC," said Alex Conroy, Financial Sales Trader at Spreadex.
Retail sales, consumer price inflation and existing-home sales data is also due out today from the US this afternoon.
Meanwhile, investors closer to home will be watching closely for the release of the minutes from the Bank of England's latest policy meeting.
Source: LiveCharts
