Today's top story: Treasury Select Committee says it has "lost confidence" in TSB boss Pester
Today's leader: Another day of Brexit chaos in Westminster
After yesterday's Brexit drama, tensions have yet to simmer down in the cabinet. It emerged this morning that Boris Johnson warned of a "meltdown" in the negotiations at a private dinner this week. Meanwhile Theresa May has refused to guarantee that the Brexit backstop plan will end by the end of 2021.
Spread-betters at Core Spreads expect European markets to reflect an uncertain mood in the US and Asia. The FTSE is seen down 26 points at 7678, the German Dax is projected to be down 98 points and the French Cac to be down 28 points
Asian shares stepped back as risk appetite soured on bets that Europes massive monetary stimulus was nearing an end, compounded by uncertainty over trade relations ahead of the weekend's G7 meeting. MSCIs broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.5 per cent.
Corporate news
- Lloyds Banking Group – has disposed of its remaining stake in Standard Life Aberdeen, raising £344m.
- BT – chief executive Gavin Patterson is stepping down later in the year.
- Merlin Entertainments – has brought Shazam chairman Andrew Fisher onto its board.
Data
- 10.30 – UK consumer inflation expectations
- 18.00 – Baker Hughes US oil rig count
- 20.30 – UK weekly commitments of traders report
