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Shares rise ahead of key US vote Shares mixed ahead of key US vote
(about 1 hour later)
Global shares have risen on cautious optimism that a revised version of the $700bn (£380bn) US banking rescue plan will be approved by US politicians. Global shares were mixed in Wednesday trading ahead of a key vote in the US Senate on a revised version of the $700bn (£380bn) bank rescue plan.
With the US Senate due to vote on the new plan later on Wednesday, hopes are growing that enough changes have been made to get the bill passed. With senators due to vote later in the day, hopes that enough changes had been made to get the bill passed saw shares close up strongly in Asia.
The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 share index was up 0.9% in morning trading. However, sentiment was more cautious in Europe, and while UK stocks have risen, German and French shares have fallen.
The bill needs backing by the Senate as well as the House of Representatives.
But the House of Representatives voted against the first version of the rescue deal on Monday.
Mixed picture
As the Senate prepares for the crucial vote, the global markets have reacted as follows:
  • The UK's FTSE 100 was up 48 points or 1% to 4,950 by late morning trading in London
  • Germany's Dax was down 60 points or 1% to 5,771, although the fall was intensified by carmaker Daimler dropping 4.5% on fears of a profit warning
  • France's Cac 40 was six points or 0.2% lower to 4,026
  • Earlier on Wednesday, Japan's Nikkei index had ended up 1% while Australia's main index closed up 4%
  • On Tuesday, the Dow Jones index of top US shares closed up 4.7%
UK stocks were also lifted by news the Bank of England is to pump a further $30bn (£17bn) into the money markets.UK stocks were also lifted by news the Bank of England is to pump a further $30bn (£17bn) into the money markets.
'Optimism' And banks Lloyds TSB and HBOS rose strongly - up 8.5% and 7.3% respectively - after Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was confident Lloyds TSB's takeover of HBOS would go ahead.
As hopes grow that the latest US rescue plan will get voted through, the markets have reacted as follows:
  • The FTSE 100 was up 43 points or 0.9% at 4,946
  • France's Cac 40 had added five points or 0.13% at 4,037
  • Germany's Dax was down 10 points or 0.17% to 5,821, after it was dragged lower by carmaker Daimler falling 4.% on speculation it may issue a profits warning
  • Earlier on Wednesday, Japan's Nikkei index had ended up 1% while Australia's main index closed up 4%
  • On Tuesday, the Dow Jones index of top US shares closed up 4.7%
  • Banks Lloyds TSB and HBOS are the biggest risers on the FTSE 100, up 8.5% and 7.3% respectively. It came after Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was confident Lloyds TSB's takeover of HBOS will go ahead
"There's clearly an air of confidence suggesting that a US rescue package of some shape will be passed," said global share brokerage CMC Markets.
"And with a vote expected later today in the Senate with a broader package being proposed, the optimism may well be justified."
Political momentumPolitical momentum
The new US package is broadly similar to the first, but includes new measures to help gain Congress's backing.The new US package is broadly similar to the first, but includes new measures to help gain Congress's backing.
George Bush says the cost of not acting will be higher than the $700bn rescue dealGeorge Bush says the cost of not acting will be higher than the $700bn rescue deal
One of the new clauses will raise the government's guarantee on savings from $100,000 (£56,000) to $250,000.One of the new clauses will raise the government's guarantee on savings from $100,000 (£56,000) to $250,000.
To get through the Senate, the bill will require the backing by 60 of the 100 senators.To get through the Senate, the bill will require the backing by 60 of the 100 senators.
However, it will then have to return to the House of Representatives on Thursday, which rejected the first version of the $700bn rescue plan on Monday. However, it will then have to return to the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The BBC's Jonathan Beale, in Washington, says a positive vote in the Senate is likely to give the bill momentum when it goes back to the House.The BBC's Jonathan Beale, in Washington, says a positive vote in the Senate is likely to give the bill momentum when it goes back to the House.
'Responsible bill''Responsible bill'
Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, who both support Mr Bush's efforts to bail out the economy, say they will return from campaigning to vote in the Senate.Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, who both support Mr Bush's efforts to bail out the economy, say they will return from campaigning to vote in the Senate.
And senior Democrats have pledged to find a bipartisan solution.And senior Democrats have pledged to find a bipartisan solution.
"Working together, we are confident we will pass a responsible bill in the very near future," Senator Harry Reid and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to President George W Bush."Working together, we are confident we will pass a responsible bill in the very near future," Senator Harry Reid and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to President George W Bush.
However, some members of Congress continue to press for more fundamental changes, such as insurance for bad loans, rather than the removal of the loans from the books of financial companies, says the BBC's Americas editor Justin Webb.However, some members of Congress continue to press for more fundamental changes, such as insurance for bad loans, rather than the removal of the loans from the books of financial companies, says the BBC's Americas editor Justin Webb.
Earlier President Bush had warned of "painful and lasting" consequences for the US should Congress fail to agree a rescue plan.Earlier President Bush had warned of "painful and lasting" consequences for the US should Congress fail to agree a rescue plan.
Analysts say the Senate is more likely to pass the bill because senators are not facing the same pressure from voters - who are generally opposed to the bailout - as members of the House.Analysts say the Senate is more likely to pass the bill because senators are not facing the same pressure from voters - who are generally opposed to the bailout - as members of the House.
All representatives face re-election in November compared with only one-third of senators.All representatives face re-election in November compared with only one-third of senators.