Today's top story: Good fortune and Godspeed: Sir Martin Sorrell steps down from WPP
Today's leader: Brexit is not the driving force behind Jaguar Land Rovers problems
Analysts are split over the future prospects of WPP, the world's largest advertising firm following the departure of renowned chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell. Read his resignation letter in full here.
Air strikes in Syria over the weekend are still topping the political agenda today, and with parliament back in session an emergency debate on the UK's part in the bombing is likely to go ahead at the Prime Minister's request.
European markets were on track for a modest increase this morning, as it looked unlikely that there would be imminent escalation in Syria.
The FTSE is expected to be 0.08 per cent higher at 7,270, while Germany's Dax is set to open up 0.41 per cent at 12,420 and the French Cac is seen up by 0.3 per cent at 5,331, according to IG.
Meanwhile, equities in Asia were mixed. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.4 per cent as Chinese blue chips dipped 0.7 per cent. Japan's Nikkei climbed 0.2 per cent.
Corporate news
- WPP – Investors will be watching the share price today after Sir Martin Sorrell's exit.
- Starbucks – The coffee chain has apologised after two black men were arrested in one of its US branches.
- Netflix – The streaming service has results after the bell in the US today.
Data
- 7:00 – German wholesale price index (March)
- 13:30 – US retail sales (March)
- 15:00 – US housing market index (April)
