US economy grows more strongly than expected in second quarter - as it happened

Markets remain edgy despite strong US economic growth and trade deal with Mexico

2.07pm BST

US economic growth was slightly stronger than expected in the second quarter, coming in at 4.2% rather than 4%.

Meanwhile the hope that Canada will join the new trade agreement between the US and Mexico is giving some support to stock markets, although concerns about Italy's financial position and worries about Spanish banks' exposure to Turkey are limiting the gains in Europe.

2.02pm BST

A quick view from ING strategist Viraj Patel:

So $EURUSD barely moves a pip after the 2Q US GDP release (which was revised up to 4.2%). This is not a market driven by economics... it's all politics #SummerLull #backtoschool (next week) pic.twitter.com/neWH9AEA4r

1.53pm BST

Overall strong US #GDP report with relatively modest revisions to Q2 estimates:
+4.2% (saar) strongest since 2014Q3
+2.9% y/y strongest since 2015Q2

Gross Domestic Income +1.8% (saar)
Gross Domestic Output +3.0% (saar) & 2.5% y/y
--> Better guide to underlying momentum pic.twitter.com/Ali3ceGtFM

Anthony Kurukgy, senior sales trader at Foenix Partners, said:

If the US Federal Reserve needed one final economic indicator to back a move to increase interest rates further when the FOMC meet again next month, today's GDP reading will have provided just that. With US growth now at pre-financial crisis levels (4.2%), the futures market will continue to bet on another hike come December if growth continues in Q4. Whether Washington likes it or not, September may not be the last time the Fed tightens monetary policy this year.

1.45pm BST

The US commerce department said:

With this second estimate for the second quarter, the general picture of economic growth remains the same; the revision primarily reflected upward revisions to nonresidential fixed investment and private inventory investment that were partly offset by a downward revision to personal consumption expenditures.

1.38pm BST

US economic growth was slightly better than forecast, turning in its best performance in four years, according to a second estimate of the figures.

On an annualised basis, second quarter GDP growth came in at 4.2%, better than the initial reading of 4.1%. The performance was also better than the decline to 4% which analysts had been expecting.

1.08pm BST

As mentioned previously, Turkey's currency continues to come under pressure:

Lira off 2.7% no longer deemed worthy of noting.

12.18pm BST

Another possible eurozone problem child, Italy, has seen its bond yields fall and the price rise today after recent weakness.

The support has come from a report in La Stampa newspaper saying that the country may seek help from the European Central Bank when it unveils new spending plans next month. Previously there have been suggestions the country's propose budget could breach eurozone targets, and this has put its bonds under pressure recently.

12.07pm BST

US markets are expected to open unchanged, while Europe continues to drift lower. Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, said:

It's been a quiet start to trading on Wednesday, with equity markets in Europe slightly in the red and US futures pointing to a flat open in a few hours.

With NAFTA negotiations finally making progress, there is a sense of relief that the risk of a global trade war is easing, which has been supportive for sentiment recently. There is still a long way to go with Trump recently again threatening tariffs on cars from Europe and the US preparing another $200 billion of tariffs against China but any progress is welcome and it's hopefully something we'll see more of in the months ahead.

11.31am BST

Another factor pressuring markets is the continuing economic trouble in Turkey.

The Turkish lira has been under pressure on concerns about the outlook for the country, and is currently at a two year low. There is also a worry that Turkey's problems could lead to wider contagion in emerging markets, and also spill over into Europe's banking system.

As the Turkey crisis persists and investors worry about contagion in the rest of the emerging markets, we believe the European banking system generally, and Spain especially, could be at risk.

10.14am BST

Markets are slipping back after their early gains.

The FTSE 100 is now down 0.38% after sterling stablised on hopes that an extension to the October Brexit deadline for agreement could lead to progress in the discussions. The UK's leading index is full of overseas earners which dislike a stronger pound. The dips in Europe are less severe, with Germany's Dax and France's Cac both down just 0.02%.

Asia's positive session has not been carried over into the European morning so far, with indices either flat or lower in early trading. US markets look like they are running out of momentum for the time being, with the upcoming long weekend likely to be the culprit for some usual profit-taking.

After an early gain, the FTSE 100 has moved sharply into reverse, testing the 7600 level once again, this time from above. The index looks beset on two fronts this morning; first of all, the stronger dollar has stopped the commodity rally in its tracks, dragging down the mining sector, and news of a possible extension to Brexit talks has given sterling a lift.

9.36am BST

Earlier we had some disappointing consumer confidence figures from Germany.

Rising inflation and the likely effect of continuing trade tensions between the US and EU contributed to a dip in the GfK consumer sentiment index to 10.5 going into September from 10.6 the previous month. Analysts had expected an unchanged figure. This was the second month in a row that sentiment deteriorated. GfK said:

Despite the second decline in a row, consumers continue to assume that the good consumer economy will continue even if the dynamic could possibly drop off somewhat. Therefore, GfK expects that private consumption for this year will increase by 1.5 percent in real terms and meet the GfK forecast made at the beginning of the year.

The positive outlook for the consumer economy will only continue as is if the job market remains stable, which is the current assumption, and there are no additional risks threatening from the price front. A further increase in inflation would certainly dampen the consumer climate.

8.48am BST

It's a positive start in Europe, but by no means a really convincing one. Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said:

Investors continued to greet the US-Mexico trade deal with wary positivity, the European markets just about nudging higher after the bell.

The FTSE, which got that belated bounce on Tuesday as it played catch-up following bank holiday Monday, opened up a few points, a smidge above 7630. There was even less of interest in the Eurozone, with the DAX and CAC at 12550 and 5500 respectively, with investors put off from doing anything else due to concerns surrounding the Italian economy.

8.18am BST

The positive developments on the trade front following the US-Mexico deal have helped push European markets higher at the open. But the gains are limited by worries about Italy's economy, following recent comments that the country might breach eurozone caps on public spending.

The FTSE 100 has opened up 0.15% while Germany's Dax has added 0.16% and France's Cac has climbed 0.17%. But Italy's FTSE MIB is down 0.03%. Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group, said:

No records are expected to be broken in European share markets just yet. Some of the optimism about the deal struck between the US and Mexico has turned to concerns over Italian debt levels. Mexico reaching an amicable solution with the US, especially in the automotive industry, increases the likelihood Europe will end with a similar result. The positive industry news bodes well for recently pressured auto shares including Volkswagen and Citroen Peugeot.

Concerns about European bank exposure in Italy is a worry, hot off the heels of similar concerns over Turkey. The comments from the deputy prime minister about Italy breaching the 3% cap on public deficits is confirmation that Italy's new populist government is even less fiscally responsible than its predecessors. Italy's political upset combined with its high debt load are a significant risk factor for European equities though the second half of 2018.

7.59am BST

France's economy grew at 0.2% quarter on quarter in the second three months of the year, in line with initial estimates. The annualised growth rate was 1.7%, as expected.

The French statistics agency INSEE said:

Imports bounced back this quarter (+1.0% after a'0.4%) as did exports to a lesser extent (+0.2% after a'0.4%). All in all, foreign trade balance contributed negatively to GDP growth, a'0.3 points, after a neutral contribution in Q1.

7.48am BST

Here are IG's opening calls for Europe:

European Opening Calls:#FTSE 7642 +0.33%#DAX 12557 +0.23%#CAC 5501 +0.29%#MIB 20642 +0.11%#IBEX 9626 +0.21%

7.37am BST

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.

Stock markets continue to be lifted by the more positive outlook for the US trade situation, following the deal between President Trump's administration and the Mexican government to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. There are hopes too that Canada, the other NAFTA signee, will join the new deal within the next few days.

Related: Global stocks soar on US-Mexico trade breakthrough as Canada is sidelined

The consensus estimate is 4% ,and keep in mind the advanced reading was 4.1%. In the first-quarter the economy grew by 2.2%. There is a growing belief that President Trump's tax cuts are kicking in, and we could see higher levels of growth at the back end of the year in comparison with the beginning. Yesterday, the US Conference Board consumer sentiment report hit is highest level since late 2000.