US pre-open: Equities slip lower on Ukraine tensions
The main US market indices are slipping lower ahead of the release and set to start with average losses of approximately 0.4%, weighed down by continued reports of sporadic bouts of fighting in Ukraine.
With possible implications for the markets, a European official reportedly warned that Russia is risking further sanctions should it attempt to make further military gains in Ukraine.
That came as traders likely remained in waiting ahead of Friday’s monthly US non-farm payrolls report.
Another talking-point in markets on Wednesday was the previous day’s confirmation of the first case of Ebola on US soil.
The news was weighing on the shares of US airline companies, while stock in Serapta Therapeutics, a maker of experimental Ebola treatments shot higher.
Earlier in the morning consultant ADP reported that the US private sector created 213,000 jobs in September, led by job creation amongst small businesses and manufacturing.
The ISM manufacturing sector purchasing managers’ index is set for release at 15:00, as are the latest monthly sales figures for the main US automobile manufacturers.