City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 18 points higher than Friday's close of 6,735, tracking gains seen in the US at the end of last week and ignoring losses across parts of Asia this morning. The rise comes ahead of HSBC's results later today, which are widely expected to show a 10% jump in quarterly profit.RyanAir has lowered its full-year profit to between €500-520m, news which may weigh on airlines today. The Co-op Group has announced a rescue plan that will see it reduce its stake in the Co-operative Bank to 30%. The group's creditors will hold the other 70%. "We have taken a major step forward towards achieving our plan to secure the future of the Bank," said Group Chief Executive Euan Sutherland. He added that the mutual group was "optimistic about the future". Also worth noting is Morgan Stanley's decision to raise oil giant BP to 'equalweight' from 'underweight', while security company G4S has been removed from UBS's preferred list. In this morning's company announcements, Anglo American has completed the disposal of the Amapá iron ore operation in Brazil after receiving approval for the $134m sale. As previously announced, Anglo will also be paid up to a further $130m over a five-year period based on the price of iron ore, which will be used to pay down debt. As part of the deal, Anglo will assume responsibility for, and the risks and rewards of, the insurance claim in relation to the Santana port incident by acquiring the claim at full claim value.Engineering company Weir Group has cut its full-year profit outlook due to the impact of the recent weakness in the US and Australian dollar. The firm expects profits, based on current estimates of average full-year exchange rates, to be £8-12m lower. Annual profits before tax, amortisation and exceptional items are anticipated to be in the range of £425-435m with margins broadly in line with the prior year.Engineering and project management giant AMEC is to expand its nuclear services activities through the acquisition of US firm Automated Engineering Services Corp (AES). The Illinois-based group, which generates around $30m in annual revenues, provides plant design and modification engineering, engineering analysis, safety, licensing and regulatory services, and engineering programme support to existing nuclear utilities, primarily in the US.Bermuda-based specialist insurance and reinsurance group Hiscox said gross written premiums increased over 10% year-on-year, driven by solid growth in its insurance business. Gross written premiums climbed 10.1% to £1,370.5m for the nine months to September 30th. Results also benefitted from a low level of catastrophe and attritional losses, the group explained.
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