British News Agency

Among the main focal points for markets today are the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and the employment report to be released on Thursday. Both could provide greater clarity on the interest rate outlook. U.S. agencies have begun releasing data that had been delayed due to the government shutdown.

Jobless claims in the United States reached a two-month high in mid-October, and continuing claims rose to 1.9 million in the week ending 18 October. While the figures slightly boosted expectations of a rate cut in December, investors worry that upcoming data may limit the Fed’s ability to ease further, given policymakers’ caution.

Meanwhile, concerns over high technology valuations have dampened risk appetite and, amid ongoing stock-market selloffs, potentially increased gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset.