Today's top story: Barclays fraud charges thrown out by Crown Court
Today's leader: The top threat to global business: protectionism
Sterling's slide may have suspended due to a slight softening of the US dollar, but it could continue if traders fail to be impressed by Bank of England governor Mark Carney's multiple appearances today.
UK stocks are expected to edge lower, starting the day five points down at 7,854, according to analysts from LCG. They see Germany's Dax up 69 points at 13,146 at the open with France's Cac four points down at 5,633.
Carney will speak alongside Messrs Ramsden and Saunders at 9.15, UK time. The Bank of England chief will then be in the hotseat from around 10am, facing questions on inflation from Westminster's treasury select committee.
Having hit lows of $1.339 yesterday, cable (sterling) picked up overnight to $1.343.
"Given the dovish nature of the [May] inflation report it wouldnt be surprising to hear more dovish language from the BoE Governor, Carney," said LCG analyst Jasper Lawler.
"There may also be some questions raised about the Carneys latest switcheroo in forward guidance. Expectations of a rate hike went from fully almost fully baked in to nearly completely priced out in the 2 weeks leading up to the last Bank of England decision."
On overnight equity markets, Japan's Nikkei was broadly flat while Aussie shares shed almost one per cent. China's blue-chip CSI300 fell by 0.7 per cent.
Corporate news
- Sony – has agreed to pay $2.3bn (£1.7bn) to buy EMI Music Publishing
- Amazon – has tapped an ex-NBC exec to help run its TV programming
- Adobe – buys Magento Commerce for $1.7bn
- Sberbank – sells $3.2bn stake in Denizbank to Emirates NBD
Data
- 9:15 – Bank of England speeches from Carney, Ramdsen and Saunders
- 10:00 – Mark Carney questioned by treasury select committee
- 11:00 – CBI industrial trends (May)
