World stocks dulled by Greek bailout saga, await ECB meeting
Source: AP
By YURI KAGEYAMA
TOKYO (AP) — Global stock markets were lackluster Wednesday as Greece's bailout woes dampened investor sentiment ahead of a European Central Bank meeting.
KEEPING SCORE: France's CAC 40 fell 0.1 percent to 4,999.71 while Germany's DAX gained 0.3 percent to 11,359.50. Britain's FTSE 100 shed 0.1 percent to 6,924.18. Wall Street was set to gain after a down day Tuesday. S&P 500 futures added 0.2 percent to 2,110.20. Dow futures were up 0.1 percent at 18,022.00.
EUROPEAN AGENDA: Concerns about Greece's ability to meet debt payments to its bailout creditors have weighed on markets. If Greece defaults on its debt, that may mean a departure from the euro zone. Greece's prime minister was set to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels to discuss his proposal to secure a vital, long-overdue agreement with the country's bailout lenders. Separately, the European Central Bank meets later Wednesday.
THE QUOTE: Markets are closely watching for any "rhetoric" that comes out of the European Central Bank, although no change is expected to its new policy of quantitative monetary easing, Mizuho Bank said in a market commentary. "The expected pick-up in growth momentum also reduces the need for extended policy stimulus," Mizuho said. "Any rhetoric on Greece ... will also be scrutinized."
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