FTSE 100 down 0.7, FTSE 250 off 0.9

Sept 4 Reuters UK39;s main stock index hit a threeweek low on Wednesday amid a broadbased decline, after concerns over U.S. economic performance hit market sentiment ahead of a slew of central bank monetary policy decisions later this month.

The bluechip FTSE 100 index was down 0.7, as of 0715 GMT, after logging its steepest singleday decline in two weeks on Tuesday. The domesticallyfocused midcap FTSE 250 fell 0.9, after its biggest drop in almost a month.

Medical equipment and household goods were the worsthit sectors, down 2.1 and 1.4, respectively.

Investor sentiment took a hit on Tuesday after an overall weak U.S. manufacturing data brought back jitters over the strength of the world39;s largest economy, which had sparked a global stocks rout in early August and deepened calls for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut this month.

While U.S. futures fell after the sharp Wall Street rout overnight, Europe39;s STOXX 600 also dropped 1 on the day.

While September has proved to be a weak month, if historical data is anything to go by, a bevy of factors could dictate the course of market performance. As a September U.S. rate cut is almost fully priced in, investors will be looking for clues to gauge the quantum of such a cut.

U.S. job openings data, eurozone producer prices and UK39;s Purchasing Managers39; Index will be in focus for the day, followed by rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England in…