The pound and FTSE 100 futures advanced after reports emerged that former President Trump is set to announce a trade deal with the UK.
Sterling climbed as much as 0.5% to 1.3356, while FTSE 100 futures gained 0.7%, buoyed by optimism that the agreement could ease U.S. tariffs on British goods.
Asian markets also posted gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.2% in morning trading to 36,863.15. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.2% to 8,190.40, South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.3% to 2,581.62, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led the region with a 0.8% surge to 22,864.74.
U.S. markets followed suit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7% to 41,113.97, the S&P 500 added 0.4% to 5,631.28, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3% to 17,738.16.
In fixed income, U.S. Treasury yields dipped after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. The yield on the 10-year note slipped to 4.269% from 4.318% on Tuesday.
