Today's top story: Amazon doubles down on profits, but misses estimates on revenue
Today's leader: Imagine a parallel universe in which Brexit decisions made sense
Another day, another setback for Theresa Mays Brexit negotiations. Last night it was the turn of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier to reject the government's customs plan, although the price of the pound remained relatively unchanged.
Meanwhile, Amazon caught the headlines on Wall Street after posting record quarterly profits of $2.5bn (£1.9bn), sending shares up three per cent in after-hours trading.
Nasdaq recorded its worst session in a month following Facebooks share price drop, while the Dow finished 0.4 per cent higher.
Asian shares were more subdued as trade disputes between Washington and Beijing show little sign of going away. MSCIs broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.1 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.5 per cent, and Japans Nikkei eked out a 0.1 per cent gain.
The FTSE 100 is expected to open up 19 points higher at 7682, while the German Dax is set to start 33 points higher at 12842 and the French Cac will open flat at 5480 points, according to London Capital Group.
Corporate news
- BT Group – is reporting its first quarter results
- Reckitt Benckiser – consumer goods giant has its interim results
- Vodafone – has its annual general meeting (AGM)
Data
- 13.30 – US GDP growth figures (second quarter)
