London's main indices were slightly up this morning, as investors trade cautiously ahead of the data and minutes from the Federal Reserve, which could influence the US and UK's interest rate path.

Last week, US employment figures showed the job market is cooling, raising fears of recession, as well as hopes for a more dovish monetary policy. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey is also due to speak later today.

Among stocks, Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc fell 0.8% at the open and recovered by 10.30 am after the generic drugmaker announced a new CEO, Riad Mishlawi, who is currently president of the group's injectables business. Said Darwazah will step down as acting CEO and return to his executive chairman role.

 

Things to read today:

On the US and China, Macron Says the Quiet Part Out Loud (Bloomberg)

Wells Fargo’s Harvey Warns S&P 500 Is Set for a 10% Correction (Bloomberg)

China Is Facing a Moment of Truth About Its Low Retirement Age (WSJ)