The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 7,231.20  with a loss of -0.21% percent or -14.90 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 5,861.50 with a loss of -0.12% percent or –7.00 point. The DAX Futures is trading at 13,102.00 with a loss of -0.21% percent or -27.30 point. The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 3,664.00 with a loss of -0.16% percent or -6.00  point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The FTSE 100 was down 0.84% at 7,262.49 as sentiment took a knock after US President Donald Trump said at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening that he would raise tariffs on China “even higher” if a trade deal between the two is not agreed.

The US Senate’s passing of a bill overnight aimed at protecting human rights in Hong Kong added to tensions. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act will now go to the House of Representatives for approval. If signed into law, the bill will demand sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials identified by the US as carrying out alleged human rights abuses.

YESTERDAY ACTIVITY

For the day the FTSE 100 closed at 3,664.00  with a loss of -0.16% percent or -6.00 point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 5,894.03  with a loss of –0.25%  percent or –15.01 point.Germany’s DAX closed at 13,158.14  with a loss of –0.48% percent or –62.98    point.

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 27,821.09  with a loss of –0.40% percent or –112.93 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,108.46  with a loss of –0.38% percent or –11.72 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,526.73  with a loss of –0.51% percent or –43.93 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 23,038.58 with a loss of –0.48% percent or –109.99 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 26,488.55  with a loss of –1.49% percent or –401.06 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,903.64 with a loss of –0.25% percent or –7.42   point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 40,662.37  up with +0.029% percent or +11.78  point at 12:15 PM.