FTSE 100 outperforms European rivals as US interest rate decision looms

The FTSE 100 index closed up 13.52 points, 0.1%, at 9,655.53 (PA) - (PA Wire)

The FTSE 100 outperformed European peers on Wednesday as markets weigh future interest rate expectations ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision later in the day.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: “A quarter point (US) rate cut is widely expected, but more interesting to the market will be commentary on the direction of rates in 2026. There have been conflicting signals from the Fed about monetary policy and markets are keen to see if there is more joined-up thinking from the central bank.”