US markets retreat ahead of FOMC minutes

Shares in the US markets are trading in the defensive territory on Wednesday, ahead of the FOMC minutes due later. Market participants are eagerly waiting for the minutes and any hint of the future steps of the Federal Reserve regarding the ongoing stimulus programme. The greenback, measured by the US Dollar Index, is well bid in the area around 80.85/90 printing session highs at the same time.
At the moment, DowJones is down 0.15%, followed by the S&P500 and the Nasdaq, retreating 0.48% and 0.66%,, respectively.

Markets in Euroland had an only winner, the FTSE100, advancing 0.26%. Rest of the bourses closed in the red territory following the increasing risk aversion and the poor data of the consumer confidence. The IBEX35 led the losses, 0.76% followed by the CAC40, 0.69% and the CAC40, and 0.30%. After hitting intraday highs around 1.3430, the single currency rapidly slipped to session lows in the proximity of 1.3340, as investors preferred to increase their exposure in safe havens.

The ounce troy of gold is getting hammered after the spectre of the famous “death cross” is hovering among investors, dragging the prices to $1577 or -1.61%. The barrel of WTI is following suit, losing 2.51% at $94.21