In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.2% at the closing bell, with telecoms stocks falling 1.8% to lead sector losses while construction and material stocks added 0.7%. Most sectors traded lower. BP reported a 41% decline in third-quarter net profit on the back of weaker oil prices and weather impacts. The energy giant’s shares ended the session 3.8% lower. Finland’s Stora Enso was down by 5% after the packaging firm reported lower-than-expected sales and operating profit.

In Currency Markets the U.S. dollar was steady against the euro on Tuesday as investors awaited for the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday, while sterling was choppy as Britain looked likely to head to an election in December. The Fed is expected to cut rates on Wednesday and investors will be watching for any indication that further cuts are likely. Fed policymakers are deeply divided on whether the U.S. central bank should be cutting rates. The EU on Monday agreed to a 3-month flexible delay to Britain’s departure.

In Commodities Markets oil prices were steady on Tuesday, paring earlier losses as investors focused on signs that U.S.-China trade tensions could ease next month. The United States and China were continuing to work on an interim trade agreement, but it may not be completed in time for U.S. and Chinese leaders to sign it in Chile next month, a U.S. administration official said. Brent crude was up 13 cents at $61.70 a barrel, after falling as low as $60.66 earlier in the session. U.S. WTI crude was down 4 cents to $55.77, after hitting a session low of $54.61.

In US Equity Markets the S&P 500 touched a record high on Tuesday as investors cheered strong earnings from big drug-makers Merck and Pfizer, while a disappointing profit from Google parent Alphabet kept the Nasdaq firmly in the red. The S&P 500 was up 0.17%, at 3,044.65. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.28%, at 8,302.75. General Motors Co gained 5% after its quarterly net profit topped estimates but the car-maker slashed its earnings forecast for 2019 as the 40-day U.S. labor strike by the United Auto Workers union brought virtually all of its North American operations to a standstill.

In Bond Markets Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond yield edged off three-month highs on Tuesday as investors waited for a fresh steer before pushing borrowing costs any higher. Government bond yields across the single currency bloc rose on Monday after the European Union granted Britain a Brexit extension and as upbeat news on U.S.-China trade talks boosted optimism in world markets, denting safe-haven assets. Most 10-year bond yields across the bloc were around three basis points lower on the day .