Today's top story: IMF warns on record global debt load driven by China
Today's leader: The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street moves with the fintech times
European markets were on track to make some gains this morning.
The FTSE is expected to be 0.08 per cent higher at 7,323, while Germany's Dax is set to open up 0.16 per cent at 12,611 and the French Cac is seen up by 0.21 per cent at 5,392, according to IG.
Japan's Nikkei hit a seven-week high, as a meeting between Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to an end. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.8 per cent.
Corporate news
- Debenhams – the high street retailer is expected to announce a drop in profits
- Unilever – has a trading update for the first time since announcing its move from London
- Sky – said revenue was up in the third quarter
Data
- 9:30 – UK retail sales (March)
- 13:30 – US unemployment (March)
- 17:30 – MPS member Cunliffe speech