Market Report

UK markets heading to a slightly higher start for London's top-flight index following the release of a weaker-than-expected reading on UK inflation.

European markets are heading for a lower open as global market sentiment takes a turn lower.

Asia-Pacific markets traded lower with Japan’s Nikkei leading losses, following declines on Wall Street.

Oil rose in early Asian trade on continued uncertainty over conflict in the Middle East, after falling as much as $5 this week to the lowest levels since early October on demand concerns.

Gold prices inched higher as U.S. Treasury yields eased, while market participants waited for more U.S. economic data to determine the number of interest rates cuts the Federal Reserve is likely to deliver in the near term.

In corporate news, Premier Inn owner Whitbread lifted its half-year dividend and said it would buy back an additional £100m in shares, despite a fall in earnings. The company held annual guidance as pre-tax profit for the six months to August 29 fell 22% to £309m on flat revenue of £1.5bn. The dividend was increased 7% to 36.4p.