FTSE 100 steady ahead of US jobs data The FTSE 100 trod water this morning as investors awaited the release of key US jobs data that was delayed by the shutdown of the American government earlier this month. London's benchmark index only managed to edge up 12 points, or 0.2pc to 6,666 in early trade, despite positive corporate updates from blue-chip companies Reckitt Benckiser, BHP Billiton and GKN. Many traders are staying on the sidelines until the publication of US non-farm payrolls figures this afternoon, an important indicator of the health of the world's largest economy. American jobs data is closely watched by investors as US Federal Reserve policymakers have singled out the unemployment rate as a key factor in their decision whether or not to slow the central banks stimulus measures. Fed chairman Ben Bernanke spooked markets over the summer by signalling the bank could have slowed - or "tapered" - its $85bn-a-month quantitative easing programme in September, although investors now expect the Fed to begin reducing its bond purchases next month instead. The latest jobs data was due to be released on October 4, but the deadlock over the US debt ceiling and government shutdown meant the release was postponed. "European markets are trading broadly flat as investors play safe by reducing exposure to risk ahead of the much anticipated US payroll data that is expected to shed some light on the Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus outlook," said Ishaq Siddiqi, market strategist at ETX Capital. Given that the deal to avert a US default by raising the debt limit and funding the Treasury is a short term fix until early next year, when lawmakers will have to address the issues again, many in the market are convinced the Fed is likely to hold off tapering activities until the fiscal soap opera ends for sure.