Markets fall ahead of Bernanke speech

Shares across Europe were lower in trading this morning as concerns mounted ahead of a key gathering of central bankers on Friday.

The Federal Reserve signalled last week it is ready to take more steps to boost the economy, and Fed chief Bernanke may comment on the likelihood of further measures at a meeting of central bankers in Wyoming. However, with nothing certain, investors are today taking profits, with the new yesterday that the recession in Spain was deeper than first thought also providing a reason to sell. In reaction shares in the UK were lower, with the FTSE 100 off 0.52% at 5,745 by late morning. Glencore led the market lower amid reports that Xstrata shareholder Norges Bank Investment Management ...