FTSE preview: Shares flat; Anglo reports
The FTSE 100 index is seen opening flat, hovering near levels last seen in May 2008, following modest gains on Wall Street, with results from mining firm Anglo American likely to fall under the spotlight.
Friday feeling: There is little to drive shares today.
The UK blue chip index looks set to open down 1 to up 2 points, according to financial bookmakers, after it closed 2.11 points higher at 6,087.38 on Thursday - having broken through the 6,100 level to hit a fresh 2011 intra-day high of 6,101.42.
'As expected, buying dried up once the psychological 6,100.00 price was penetrated,' Enis Mehmet, an analyst at Autochartist, said.
'Despite the existence of a solid uptrend, the tendency has been for volume and volatility to dry up at new highs, suggesting that investors still favour buying dips.'
On the domestic economic data front, UK January retail sales data and the Bank of England January Trends in Lending survey are both due.
Traders said investors were likely to adopt a cautious stance as a two-day G20 meeting takes place in Paris, starting on Friday, and as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
The world's top central bankers will take centre stage on Friday ahead of the G20 meeting which appears set to struggle to make headway on an ambitious French agenda.
The monetary policy chiefs of the United States, euro zone, China, Japan and Britain will share a public platform in Paris, with their notable policy differences and worries about resurgent inflation of key interest to financial markets.
Parts of the Middle East and North Africa were set for renewed displays of public anger towards their governments on Friday, with the focus on Bahrain and Libya as protesters bury people killed in recent clashes.
No major US economic data is scheduled for release on Friday.
The board of Russia's TNK-BP is waiting for its management's proposal on a role in shareholder BP Plc's partnership with state oil company Rosneft, sources close to the board said.
Ireland's Greencore has teamed up with a private equity firm in an effort to top chicken tycoon Ranjit Boparan's takeover of the food manufacturer, the Daily Telegraph said.
The Daily Mail Market Daily Express market reports said talk swirled of revived bid interest for food ingredients firm Tate & Lyle from private US firm Cargill.
Talked swirled of bid interest for RSA from an overseas suitor, with the Daily Mail and Daily Express market reports naming Zurich Financial Services and German giant Allianz as potential 190-200 pence-a-share bidders, citing traders.
There will be results today from Anglo American, Rentokil Initial, Go-Ahead and Charter International.
Reader service: Free brochure guides
Completely free insider guides on the latest investing trends...
Most watched Money videos
- BMW's Vision Neue Klasse X unveils its sports activity vehicle future
- Blue Whale fund manager on the best of the Magnificent 7
- BMW meets Swarovski and releases BMW i7 Crystal Headlights Iconic Glow
- Mail Online takes a tour of Gatwick's modern EV charging station
- 2025 Aston Martin DBX707: More luxury but comes with a higher price
- Land Rover unveil newest all-electric Range Rover SUV
- Skoda reveals Skoda Epiq as part of an all-electric car portfolio
- Tesla unveils new Model 3 Performance - it's the fastest ever!
- Mercedes has finally unveiled its new electric G-Class
- Mini celebrates the release of brand new all-electric car Mini Aceman
- Mini Cooper SE: The British icon gets an all-electric makeover
- 'Now even better': Nissan Qashqai gets a facelift for 2024 version
- UK Government sells another chunk of NatWest shares
- MARKET REPORT: FTSE falters despite UBS call to buy...
- Police not interested in shoplifting, says M&S as thefts...
- Digital marketing firm Mission Group snubs takeover offer...
- London's 'Mr Super Prime' to take centre stage in...
- Will Nationwide pay out a £100 loyalty bonus again this...
- Anglo American rejects rival BHP's £34bn second takeover bid
- Used car marketplace Cazoo looking for buyers as it nears...
- Evri issues warning over huge rise in smishing scams -...
- Anglo strikes out alone - but can it survive a bid...
- A MILLION more people have taken on mortgages they will...
- Diploma shares top FTSE 100 risers after firm raises...
- Taxpayer stake in NatWest falls below 27% as Treasury...
- I repeatedly bail out my partner from his financial...
- European-made electric car batteries could cut carbon...
- Heathrow takes fresh swipe at the tourist tax as it...
- Gamestop shares double as 'meme stock' social media...
- US owner of Boots steps up efforts to find a buyer for...