The FTSE 100 is poised to climb into fresh record territory on Thursday, with investors looking ahead to a key batch of UK economic data, including GDP, trade balance, and industrial production figures.
Futures indicated around 49 points higher, a day after surging more than 118 points to a record closing high of 10,472.11. The index closed Wednesday up 1.1% at a record 10,472.11.
Elsewhere, markets were weaker across Europe and the US. Germany, France and Italy’s main indexes slipped between 0.2% and 0.6%, while on Wall Street the Dow Jones eased 0.1% from its record peak. The Nasdaq also edged down 0.1%, with the S&P 500 little changed.
In currency markets, sterling eased to USD1.3606 early Thursday from USD1.3640 at Wednesday’s close. The euro slipped to USD1.1854 from USD1.1861, while the dollar weakened against the yen to JPY153.50 from JPY154.23.
US markets ended lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.1%, the S&P 500 marginally weaker, and the Nasdaq Composite off 0.2%.
Asian markets were mixed on Thursday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged higher after producer prices rose 0.2% month-on-month in January, matching expectations. China’s Shanghai Composite was little changed, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.0%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3%.
