FTSE higher ahead of US inflation data

The FTSE 100 built on Tuesday’s gains to trade around a one-month high suggesting investors have moved on from the latest set of jitters over Covid variants for now, says AJ Bell financial analyst Danni Hewson.

“Progress on a huge US stimulus package helped stocks close in positive territory on Wall Street, providing a positive cue for European equities – while the carving up of the UK market by overseas buyers continues apace as Avast agrees to a merger with NortonLifeLock.

“The other key threat stalking the markets is inflation and US inflation figures out this afternoon could be the latest test for the current sunnier sentiment.”