Europe open: Shares shrug off Wall St to make gains; Eyes on US inflation

(Sharecast News) - European shares shrugged off a weak Wall Street session and mixed Asian markets overnight to post gains at the open on Wednesday. The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.31% to 636 at 0730 GMT with all major bourses higher. US inflation data will be firmly in focus on Wednesday, with markets awaiting September's consumer price index report from the Labor Department.

Economists are forecasting a 0.6% month-on-month increase, up from 0.4% in August, which would see annual inflation accelerate to 3.6% from 3.4%.

Comments from New York Fed President John Williams overnight suggested he still expects one further rate hike before year-end, although he played down the prospect of additional tightening in 2027.

Markets are currently pricing in a 77% probability that the Fed will leave rates unchanged at its 27-28 October meeting, up from 51% a month ago.

In equity news Softcat shares slumped after results, while tech stocks rallied after yesterday's Asia-inspired sell-off on fears of more competition from China in the race to dominate artificial intelligence.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com