US stocks opened sharply lower today as investors await a crucial statement from the Federal Reserve which could signal further quantitative easing measures.
The Dow Jones IA has fallen 1.12% to 10,579.24 just after opening, while the broader S&P 500 is 1.22% lower and the tech-heavy Nasdaq dived 1.67%.
Investors are anticipating what policy action the Fed might make to stimulate the stuttering US economy, which suffered a sharp fall in growth in Q2.
Many are not anticipating a full resumption of its quantitative easing programme, but financial markets are pricing in possible stimulus measures. One option mooted is for the Fed is to start buying up Treasury securities again.
In Tuesday trading, the computer chip giant Intel and aluminium producer Alcoa lead the losses, down 3.2% and 2.49% respectively.
The FTSE 100 has taken a turn for the worse upon the opening of the US markets, with London's leading index of shares dropping sharply this afternoon to sit 1.14% lower to 5,348.96.
Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline leads the gains, up 1.52% to £11.69. Shares in Europe's biggest travel operator TUI Travel have fallen 9.35% to 204.50p after reporting a sharp fall in UK operating.
In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is 1.62% lower to 3,716.18 and Frankfurt's Dax is down 1.47% to 6,257.98.
