RE: WOT...??27 Sep 2021 14:30
On the political front, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence a massive infrastructure bill will pass this week but acknowledged it might not get a Monday vote as planned, with fellow Democrats warning critical work remains to meet the party's deadlines.
Democrats have been scrambling to hammer out a landmark plan to upgrade the nation's roads and bridges, but are also under immense pressure to finalise a USD3.5 trillion public investment package and fund the government to avert a looming shutdown - all by September 30.
The week is among the most critical of President Joe Biden's tenure, with opposition Republicans contesting his Build Back Better programme that would invest in climate change policy, lower childcare and education costs for working families and create millions of jobs.
Equipment rentals firm Ashtead Group was among the worst blue-chip performers, down 3.6%. Ashtead generates a bulk of its revenue in the US via its Sunbelt division