The FTSE 100 index is seen opening up 27-30 points on Wednesday, reclaiming some the previous session's falls, with underlying caution ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision and statement. Skip related content
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Financial bookmakers saw the UK blue-chip index gaining as much as 0.6 percent on opening, after it fell to its lowest closing level in a month on Tuesday, shedding 67.29 points, or 1.3 percent, to 5,037.21, weighed down by banks.
Ex-dividend factors will knock 9.40 points off the index on Wednesday, with GlaxoSmithKline , Intertek Group and Royal Dutch Shell all losing their dividend attractions.
In domestic economic news, consumer morale has hit its highest levels in the last two months since April 2008, a survey showed.
Permanent job placements in Britain grew for a third consecutive month in October and at the fastest pace in two years, a survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and accountancy firm KPMG showed.
Shop prices were flat in October compared with a year ago after falling in the previous two months, the British Retail Consortium said.
Investors will look at the UK CIPS services PMI report for October, due for release at 9:28 a.m., with the headline PMI number seen rising to 55.5, up from September's 55.3.
The latest Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee meeting starts on Wednesday, decisions from which are due on Thursday.
No change to UK interest rates is expected but an increase in the bank's quantitative easing policy is anticipated.
Investors' attention will also be drawn across the Atlantic. After the UK market close, the spotlight will fall on the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee meeting result, scheduled for 7:15 p.m., with interest rates expected to be kept close to zero.
Ahead of that investors will watch the U.S. ADP employment survey, which may give some clues as to what will happen with Friday's non-farm payrolls data.
(Reporting by Tricia Wright)
Tributes have been paid to a schoolgirl who died after slipping in her high heels and falling under a train while waving goodbye to her friends.
