FTSE 100 futures ticked higher by 0.28%, tracking gains in US tech shares despite mixed signals from the bond market. Defensive buying into healthcare and telecom stocks lent support, with volatility levels dipping as measured by the VFTSE index. US stock futures declined on Tuesday morning with Wall Street worried a government shutdown could begin as soon as Wednesday. FTSE 100-listed medical products and technology firm Convatec has unveiled plans for a new R&D site in Manchester as part of more than $1 billion dollars (£742 million) of investment in the UK and US over the next decade. FTSE 100 futures consolidated recent gains as traders booked profits ahead of UK GDP data. The stable performance of dividend-yielding blue chips highlights ongoing demand for income-focused equities despite macroeconomic uncertainties.