UK PRE MARKET
The FTSE 100 Futures are trading at 7,286.50 with a loss of -0.63% percent or -46.00 point. The CAC 40 Futures are trading at 5,056.50 with a loss of -1.12% percent or -57.50 point . The DAX Futures are trading at 11,973.50 with a loss of -0.21% percent or -25.00 point . The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures are trading at 3,401.00 with a loss of -0.73% percent or –25.00 point.
TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS
Selling from the US and Asian trading sessions has carried over into the London open, despite possible indications that China might not back-up its errant neighbour if it carries out a missile strike that could threaten US territory.
According to the Global Times, which is considered by some as a mouthpiece for Beijing, China should “make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral.”
Wall Street saw significant selling on Thursday, albeit amid depleted summer trading volumes, and a spike in levels of stockmarket volatility, as traders opted to take out some insurance against the risk of unforeseen events in the North Pacific.
PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY
For the day the FTSE 100 closed at 7,299.97 with a loss of –1.22% percent or –89.97 point. France’s CAC 40 closed at 5,059.12 with a loss of –1.10% percent or –56.11 point. Germany’s DAX closed at 11,982.45 with a loss of –0.27% percent or –31.85 point.
WORLD MARKETS
For the day the Dow are trading at 21,844.01 with a loss of –0.93% percent or –204.69 point. The S&P 500 are trading at 2,438.21 with a loss of –1.45% percent or –35.81 point. The Nasdaq Composite are trading at 6,216.87 with a loss of –2.13% percent or –135.46 point.
In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 are trading at 19,729.74 with a loss of –0.05% percent or –8.97 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng are trading at 26,883.51 with a loss of –2.04% percent or –560.49 point. China’s Shanghai Composite are trading at 3,208.54 with a loss of –1.63% percent or –53.21 point. India’s S&P BSE Sensex are trading at 31,213.59 with a loss of –1.01% percent or –317.74 point at 12:15 PM .