March 18 (Reuters) – Following are news, reports and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Wednesday.

The lira was at 2.6137 against the dollar at 0740 GMT, from 2.6110 late on Tuesday.

The main share index rose to 80,030.658 on Tuesday from 78,989.00. The benchmark 10-year government bond yield was at 8.270.

GLOBAL MARKETS Asian stocks shook off a slow start and rose on Wednesday, led by China shares, while the dollar marked time as markets waited for the Federal Reserve’s policy statement for clues to when U.S. interest rates will rise. Following Asia’s lead, spreadbetters forecast a slightly higher open for Britain’s FTSE .FTSE, Germany’s DAX .GDAXI and France’s CAC .FCHI although caution towards the Fed’s statement due later in the day was expected to limit gains.

SYRIA DRONE

The United States lost contact with an unarmed Predator drone over Syria on Tuesday, U.S. officials said, stopping short of confirming the plane was taken down by Syrian air defenses, as reported by Syrian state media.

ISRAEL ELECTION

Waiting for possible reactions to the results of the Israeli elections from Turkish leaders, notably President Erdogan, who has in the past launched blistering attacks on Benjamin Netanyahu.

Note: For a list of forthcoming events, see.

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Istanbul National-100 stock index, interbank lira trading, lira bond trading (Writing by Jonny Hogg)