Danilo Maroni shows us the day ahead.

Well done Mr. Powell! Looks like the Federal Reserve Chair managed to make the dialling back bank’s enormous stimulus program look like a dovish taper and investors can enjoy the thrills of stock markets at record heights.

The U.S. policy package contained no nasty surprises — the $15 billion reduction in monthly purchases was consensual and the inflation is “transitory” message was reiterated.

European stock futures are now at new highs after Wall Street posted another record closing. Many are compelled to continue investing in equity, despite positive earnings surprises and sub-zero real yields.

Now that the Fed has been out of sight, D-day is now for the Bank of England. This could make it the largest central bank in the world to raise interest rates after the coronavirus pandemic.

Poland stunned Wednesday by its largest rate rise since 2000. This pushed its bank stocks to their highest levels ever.

Societe Generale’s (OTC) reported a better than expected Q3 profit growth. This was due to strong investment and corporate banking revenue and lower bad debts.

Credit Suisse (SIX), however, saw a 21% decline in its Q3 net profit due to higher taxes and increased charges for settling corruption claims relating to loans to Mozambique.

Ether is the No. The world’s number 2 cryptocurrency Ether reached an all-time high of $4,670.81.

(For graphic on World Stocks – https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/zgvomkmblvd/Morning%20bid.PNG)

Key developments that should provide more direction to markets on Thursday: * Swiss drugmaker Roche agreed to buy a nearly one-thirdvoting stake held by cross-town rival Novartis in itself for$20.7 billion * Norway Central Bank meeting * Bank of England announces rate decision * ECB President Christine Lagarde and board member IsabelSchnable speak – 1245 GMT * German industrial output/manufacturing * Final services PMI everywhere * Euro zone PPI * OPEC-plus meeting * South Africa’s medium term budget statement, CzechNational Bank meeting * U.S. trade balance/weekly jobless * Europe earnings:  Amundi, Banco BPM, Commerzbank (DE:), BT, Euronext, Hannover Re, ING, Societe Generale, Telefonica (NYSE:),WizzAir * U.S. earnings: Uber (NYSE:), AirBnb