FTSE preview: Caution ahead of rate decision
The FTSE 100 is expected to open flat after hitting a seven-week high in the previous session, with some caution prevailing ahead of a rate decision by the Bank of England later in the session.
Rates decision: Hold is widely predicted
The blue-chip index looked set to open unchanged to down 1 point, according to financial bookmakers, after closing up 34.1 at 6,041.1 - its highest closing level since February 18.
The rate decision by the BoE at noon is likely to give further direction to the market.
Only one of 67 economists polled by Reuters expected rates to rise from 0.5%, though the central bank faces criticism that it has gone soft on inflation which is running more than double its target.
Policymakers has been split in recent months about whether to raise interest rates, with a majority keen to gauge the strength of the recovery before acting.
A recent shock fall in industrial output raising doubts over the strength of the economy and clouding the outlook for monetary policy after very strong services sector numbers.
Stocks to watch today include:
Asterand: The company is scheduled to release a preliminary statement.
Hays: The company is scheduled to release a trading update
Halfords Group: The company is scheduled to release a trading update
Hydrodec Group: The company is scheduled to release a preliniary statement
Victrex: The company is scheduled to release a trading statement
Most watched Money videos
- Land Rover unveil newest all-electric Range Rover SUV
- Kia's 372-mile compact electric SUV - and it could costs under £30k
- 'Now even better': Nissan Qashqai gets a facelift for 2024 version
- Mercedes has finally unveiled its new electric G-Class
- Mini celebrates the release of brand new all-electric car Mini Aceman
- Leapmotor T03 is set to become Britain's cheapest EV from 2025
- Paul McCartney's psychedelic Wings 1972 double-decker tour bus
- Introducing Britain's new sports car: The electric buggy Callum Skye
- Top Gear takes Jamiroquai's lead singer's Lamborghini for a spin
- Footage of the Peugeot fastback all-electric e-3008 range
- A look inside the new Ineos Quartermaster off-road pickup truck
- Mini Cooper SE: The British icon gets an all-electric makeover
- MARKET REPORT: Fever-Tree left nursing another hangover...
- Steve Webb's five fail-safe tricks to track down a lost...
- Ocado to be relegated from Footsie after six years with...
- Boohoo bows to investor pressure as it backs down on...
- What is the state pension triple lock plus plan - and how...
- Crypto rush fuels money laundering fears: FCA approves...
- Do drivers called Muhammad really pay more for car...
- BUSINESS LIVE: Royal Mail takeover agreed; Anglo American...
- New lung cancer drug boosts AstraZeneca as trials show...
- Shamed Woodford told to hand back his CBE after fund...
- Takeover talks stall at Anglo American after wrangling...
- Shop price inflation falls to lowest levels since...
- SALLY SORTS IT: I ordered a blonde wig after my breast...
- Diesel drivers pay more to fill up in Britain than...
- Major car maker forced to scrap 70-year tradition due to...
- Anglo American looks to South Africa as it fights for its...
- Royal Mail owner IDS agrees Kretinsky's £3.6bn takeover bid
- Labour dithers over NatWest share sale plan saying it...