Investors watched U.S. stock futures wobble as President Donald Trump prepared to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week on Friday. Futures on the S&P 500 slipped around 0.2%, while Dow Jones contracts edged lower, reflecting uncertainty over what the two presidents might say about trade and security. Markets remain sensitive to any hint of policy shift.

Oil prices fell sharply, with WTI crude slipping back under $100 a barrel as no new developments emerged from Iran or the United States on the Middle East conflict. The decline eased pressure on energy‑heavy indices, though analysts warned the market could rebound if diplomatic chatter intensifies. Bond markets showed mixed signals, as U.K. gilt yields retreated after Tuesday’s rise.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated his commitment to stay the course on fiscal policy, a stance that helped pull U.K. government bond yields lower and offered a modest boost to European equity sentiment. With the Trump‑Xi summit looming, traders will likely gauge any forward guidance for clues on tariffs or sanctions, but today’s mixed data kept the market cautiously balanced.