FTSE 100 tipped lower despite upbeat signals from Wall Street

The FTSE 100 is expected to edge lower when trading opens on Tuesday, though a busy slate of corporate results could yet sway sentiment.

Futures suggest the London benchmark will open around 17 points down, extending Monday’s modest dip that left the index at 9,534.91. Updates from heavyweights including easyJet, Kingfisher, Next and Compass Group may inject volatility as investors digest fresh earnings signals.

Overnight, US markets mounted a powerful rally led by technology stocks, reflecting renewed optimism surrounding artificial intelligence — and mounting expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut next month. The Nasdaq surged 2.7%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.6% and the Dow Jones gained 0.4%, while the Russell 2000 jumped 1.9%.

Momentum was boosted after Fed Governor Christopher Waller joined New York Fed chief John Williams in suggesting that a December rate cut remains firmly on the table, reinforcing hopes of looser monetary policy.

Asian markets painted a mixed picture. Japan’s Nikkei and India’s Sensex hovered just above flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.3% and the Shanghai Composite added 0.9%. Other regional markets drifted lower, underscoring ongoing uncertainty despite improving sentiment in the US.

With global cues pulling in different directions, London looks set for a cautious start — though today’s corporate updates could quickly change the tone.