The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 6,883.80 up with +0.38% percent or +25.80 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 4,893.50 up with +1.99% percent or +95.50  point The DAX Futures is trading at 10,958.50 up with +0.29% percent or +32.00 point. The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 3,112.00 up with +0.42% percent or +13.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

London-listed shares extended their recent bounce on Wednesday amid signs of improving Sino-US relations, with the FTSE 100firmly in the green and the pound bouncing back, although it remained near its recent lows, as investors mulled news of Theresa May’s leadership challenge.

Nonetheless, market commentators said the pound’s nudge higher in the aftermath of the announcement was probably down to the fact that the leadership challenge was already priced-in to some extent, and to hopes that article 50 will be delayed to avoid a hard Brexit.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the FTSE 100 closed at 6,880.19 up with +1.08% percent or +73.25 point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 4,909.45 up with +2.15% percent or +103.26  point. Germany’s DAX closed at 10,929.43 up with +1.38% percent or  +148.92 point.

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 24,527.27 with +0.64% percent or +157.03  point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,651.07  up with +0.54% percent or +14.29 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,098.31 up with +0.95% percent or +66.48 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 21,816.19 up with +0.99% percent or +213.44 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 26,465.96  up with +1.07% percent or +279.25 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,634.05 up with +1.23% percent or  +31.90 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at  35,947.98 up with +0.47% percent or  +168.91 point at 12:15 PM.