Investors 'awaiting quantitative easing news'

Trading on the stock market is likely to be influenced by the release of European and UK data regarding fiscal policy.

This is according to market analyst for City Index Nick Serff, who explained that buyers using their private wealth to invest in companies will be hoping for ’signs that an end to quantitative easing is in sight’.

A change in interest rates is not anticipated, he added, noting that some traders are looking to move out of their ’riskier holdings’ ahead of the release of the figures and the publication of unemployment data in the US tomorrow.

Worries over the financial stability of some European countries - notably Greece and Portugal - is another reason why buyers are turning their attention to safer assets and the euro declined against the dollar today, echoing the falls that have been seen on stock markets.

According to Reuters, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 was 0.9 per cent lower at 09:31 GMT, with banks and mining firms among the worst hit.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19597010-ADNFCR