FTSE 100 today: London shares poised to rise after US Fed maintains status quo; eyes on Apple and StanChart earnings

Asian markets opened cautiously on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve signalled a delay in interest rate cuts, dragging Wall Street lower. Oil prices surged in anticipation of US reserve replenishment, and the yen strengthened amid intervention speculation. Qualcomm's stock surged on strong earnings. Focus now turns to earnings reports from Apple and StanChart.