The US market wasn't all that lively yesterday as TRADERS were not prepared to commit themselves to take a position either way due to the FED's minutes being published later on today. The Futures hovering above the flat line at the moment and the UK FTSE100 and the DAX30 of Frankfurt are expected to open slightly above their closing prices of yesterday.

Last night Alcoa the Aluminum maker was the first company to release their first quarter results which were above the market estimates.