LONDON (Alliance News) - London markets set to open lower Thursday, after the European Central Bank agreed to boost Emergency Liquidity Assistance for Greek banks after a meeting in Frankfurt laste Wednesday.
IG futures indicate the FTSE 100 to open 20 points lower at 6,877.5. The index closed flat at 6,898.08 on Wednesday, with mid-cap stocks outperforming blue-chips, after Greece said it will ask for an extension of its loan agreement with the eurozone.
Wall Street ended mixed Wednesday. The DJIA closed down 0.1%, the S&P 500 ended flat and the Nasdaq Composite finished up 0.1%.
In Asia on Thursday, the Japanese Nikkei 225 closed up 0.4%. Hong Kong and Shanghai markets are closed for Chinese New Year.
Brent crude is quoted at around USD59.47 a barrel Thursday, and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate is quoted at USD51.26 a barrel. Gold is quoted early Thursday at USD1,214.96 an ounce.
In the UK corporate calendar Thursday, BAE Systems, Centrica, Primary Health Properties and Morgan Sindall Group release full-year results, while Petra Diamonds and Go-Ahead Group issue half-year results. Sport Direct International provide an interim management statement.
In the economic calendar Thursday, the UK CBI Industrial Trends Survey is due at 1100 GMT. The EU current account is at 0900 GMT and consumer confidence is at 1500 GMT. ECB monetary policy meeting accounts are at 1230 GMT. In the US, initial and continuing jobless claims are at 1330 GMT, and Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey is at 1500 GMT. US EIA crude oil stocks are due at 1530 GMT.
By Daniel Ruiz; danielruiz@alliancenews.com
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