What you need to know before the open
European bourses are set to open slightly lower this morning, with Bank of England minutes in focus, followed by Fed minutes later on.
Today’s UK average earnings data is expected to stay unchanged at 0.9 per cent for the final quarter – still an improvement but a large gap when it comes to proximity to inflation (1.9 per cent).
It's also a busy one for company results, as investors look for clues on profits.
Corporate news
French bank Credit Agricole has said it’ll propose paying out a dividend for the first time since 2010, having made a profit and exceeded its own targets in 2013.
Sports Direct saw a strong third quarter, with sales up 11 per cent from a year earlier, to £655m.
Danish brewer Carlsberg saw an eight per cent spike in fourth quarter profit with improved margins in Western Europe. The company’s looking towards Asia for growth again this year.
And Pets at Home has confirmed its plan to list on the London Stock Exchange – the latest in a string of flotations that’s been announced.
In Asia
Nikkei’s share average has dropped in Wednesday trading as investors await developments on Chinese interest rates.
Data in focus
9.30am: UK BoE minutes
9.30am: UK average earnings
9.30am: UK Dec unemployment
1.30pm: US Jan housing Starts
7.00pm: US FOMC minutes