Shares, stocks and corporate news: What you need to know before the open

​Today's top story: London keeps its forex crown

A legal storm involving two members of Donald Trump's inner circle sent US stock index futures down overnight, as Asian and European markets reacted to what is being dubbed as the US President's "worst ever day" in the White House.

However, US stocks hit an all-time high yesterday, and the S&P 500 is now one day away from breaking the record for its longest-ever bull run. 

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 per cent. The Shanghai Composite index tumbled 0.5 per cent, as economic concerns returned after the central bank said yesterday it would not resort to strong stimulus to support growth.

Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei stock index climbed 0.7 per cent.

The FTSE is expected to open up 17 points lower at 7548, while the German Dax is set to open down 26 points at 12358. However, the French Cac is expected to open up four points higher at 5412.

Corporate news​

• Grafton Group – the building materials group reported a nine per cent rise in revenue for the first half of 2018
• Costain Group – reported a eight per cent rise in half-year underlying operating profit