In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.2 percent with most sectors in positive territory. Basic resources was the best performing sector, up 1 percent, while autos led the losses amid continued trade tensions. In corporate news, DS Smith was among the top performers, up by 5 percent. The company said that it’s to sell its plastics business for $585 million, according to Reuters. Shares of Brenntag also rose about 5 percent as the company said it is actively looking for acquisitions.

In Currency Markets the pound remained stuck near a one-week low on Wednesday as lack of progress in Brexit talks prompted concern that a vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposed deal could be delayed. Talks between May’s top government lawyer and European Union negotiators to win concessions from the EU on Brexit ended on Tuesday without agreement, and no breakthrough is expected before the weekend. The pound was down 0.3 percent at $1.3140, close to Tuesday’s one-week low of $1.3097. It was also struggling against the euro, down 0.2 percent at 86.02 pence.

In Commodities Markets oil prices eased on Wednesday as bullish output forecasts by two big U.S. producers and a build in weekly U.S. crude stockpiles outweighed OPEC-led production cuts. Brent crude futures were at $65.74 per barrel, down 12 cents from their last settlement. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were down 45 cents at $56.11 per barrel. Data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, also showed larger-than-expected gains in U.S. crude stockpiles.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell on Wednesday as investors stayed on the sidelines following a strong rally this year, awaiting fresh developments on trade. General Electric Co shares fell 6.1 percent, extending losses from a day earlier, after it warned of a negative net cash flow from its industrial businesses this year. Exxon Mobil’s 1.9 percent decline also weighed, after the company said it planned to increase capital spending next year to restore flagging oil and gas production. The S&P 500 was down 0.25 percent, at 2,782.54 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.40 percent, at 7,545.98.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields retreated on Wednesday, as stocks weakened and risk appetite dimmed, with investors awaiting this week’s European Central Bank monetary policy meeting as well as the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for February. U.S. 10-year note yields fell to 2.704 percent from 2.722 percent late on Tuesday. U.S. 30-year bond yields also fell, to 3.072 percent from 3.087 percent on Tuesday. On the short end of the curve, U.S. 2-year yields were likewise down at 2.532 percent, compared with Tuesday’s 2.551 percent.