London’s blue-chip stocks are expected to open Thursday lower, following US equities.
A familiar volatility continues to be a factor for investors.
Wall Street gave up its short-lived rally amid new warnings about the economy from the Federal Reserve’s Janet Yellen.
The Fed chair indicated there may not be any more interest-rate rises in the near term whilst warning that stock market weakness may pose threats to the real economy.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones fell 99 points, 0.6%, closing Wednesday at 15,914. The S&P 500 was mostly flat, ending the session at 1,851 and the Nasdaq actually gained 0.45% to 4,283.
Elsewhere, there was further volatility and some divergence in the oil market.
US crude futures fell about 3.5% to $27 per barrel, meanwhile Brent moved 1.1% higher to around $30.70.
London’s equities, meanwhile, are seen lower.
IG Markets calls the FTSE 100 down nearly 50 points, at 5,616 to 5,621.