Global stock markets mostly gained Wednesday on hopes the Federal Reserve might ease off plans for interest rate hikes, while London opened lower after Britain installed its third prime minister this year amid an economic crisis.
Other European markets gained. Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney closed higher. The euro edged above $1.
The future for Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index declined after gaining for a third day Wednesday after bond prices rose. That suggested some investors expect the Fed to ease off rate hikes as economic activity cools.
