London open: FTSE inches higher despite ECB concerns

- Modest rise on FTSE- Lloyds dives on PPI bill update- Chinese and Aussie data disappoints- Focus to be on Eurozone manufacturingtechMARK 2,783.19 +0.30%FTSE 100 6,514.32 +0.06%FTSE 250 15,690.31 +0.10%The FTSE surprised with a positive start to today's session, inching marginally into positive territory early on, despite weak data out from China, a poor finish in both Asia and the US, on-going fears over emerging markets, as well as concerns over this week's interest rates decision by the European Central Bank (ECB). Friday's weaker-than-expected reading on Eurozone consumer price inflation prompted a number of the largest research outfits in Europe to change their predictions for the upcoming policy meeting, and as a consensus now see another cut in the ECB's main policy rate on the cards.Asia stock markets tracked a decline in the US, and were also hit by data from China, which revealed non-manufacturing PMI dropped to 53.4 in January. Turning to today's session, markets will see the release of the UK´s manufacturing PMI, with the same also due to be released from Spain, Italy and the US. Also in the States, data will be published on Construction Spending and ISM Manufacturing Prices.According to Craig Erlam, a Market Analst at Alpari UK, investors "could be in for another bad week" after Australian data also disappointed with a 2.9% decline in December building permit numbers. "With the central bank meeting tomorrow, this could further encourage policy makers to cut rates again in order to provide a further boost to the economy and devalue the currency to a level its more comfortable with," he said. "I don't think this panic will last, although I do expect repeats of this throughout the year as the Fed brings it asset purchase programme to a close. Given the size of the rally in stocks last year, I think part of this sell-off is being driven by investors using the emerging markets story as an excuse to allow for a correction in the markets." On the company front, Randgold Resources was a strong riser after it said it hit targets for 2013, boosted gold production to a new record level and expects output to rise over the next five years. Production for the quarter and year to December rose 20% and 15% respectively, in line with guidance.Shares in Lloyds were at the bottom of the pile after the group revealed its payment protection insurance (PPI) bill had soared by a further £1.8bn to nearly £10bn, and despite predicting its full-year underlying profits would be almost double that predicted by analysts. Sector peer Barclays was also a heavy faller. Rexam was higher after proposing the sale of the Pharmaceutical Devices and Prescription Retail Packaging divisions of its Healthcare business for $805m. The consumer packaging company said Montagu Private Equity has made a binding offer for the divisions. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed around mid-2104.BBA Aviation climbed after saying it sold APPH, a full-service landing gear and hydraulic sub-systems supplier, and announced it was considering a cash return to shareholders. The business, which had formed part of BBA's Aftermarket Services division, was sold for $128m, the $120.6m proceeds of which would be use to reduce the group's debt level. Medical technology company Smith & Nephew rose after it agreed to buy medical device company ArthroCare Corp. The group will pay $1.7bn, or $48.25 per ArthroCare share in cash, representing an enterprise value of $1.5bn.FTSE 100 - RisersWeir Group (WEIR) 2,149.00p +2.63%Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 4,657.00p +2.06%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,272.00p +1.88%SSE (SSE) 1,328.00p +1.61%GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,587.50p +1.50%Rexam (REX) 499.90p +1.40%Fresnillo (FRES) 780.00p +1.36%Smith & Nephew (SN.) 887.50p +1.31%Intertek Group (ITRK) 2,865.00p +1.17%Diageo (DGE) 1,821.50p +1.17%FTSE 100 - FallersLloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 81.16p -2.57%Barclays (BARC) 269.10p -1.25%Vodafone Group (VOD) 224.25p -1.02%Sports Direct International (SPD) 677.00p -1.02%ARM Holdings (ARM) 926.50p -0.91%TUI Travel (TT.) 422.10p -0.78%BP (BP.) 474.30p -0.77%Royal Mail (RMG) 594.00p -0.67%Kingfisher (KGF) 367.30p -0.62%Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,439.00p -0.62%FTSE 250 - RisersKenmare Resources (KMR) 18.59p +6.23%Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 611.00p +2.78%EnQuest (ENQ) 133.00p +2.70%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 45.20p +2.49%Ferrexpo (FXPO) 154.70p +1.78%SIG (SHI) 199.30p +1.58%RPC Group (RPC) 602.50p +1.26%Cobham (COB) 297.30p +1.23%Croda International (CRDA) 2,441.00p +1.20%BH Global Ltd. GBP Shares (BHGG) 1,200.00p +1.18%FTSE 250 - FallersPerform Group (PER) 234.70p -5.17%Rank Group (RNK) 135.50p -2.38%Essar Energy (ESSR) 56.50p -2.08%Serco Group (SRP) 430.60p -1.49%Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 136.00p -1.38%PayPoint (PAY) 1,086.00p -1.18%Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,881.00p -1.16%Cranswick (CWK) 1,307.00p -1.06%UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company (UDG) 352.10p -1.04%BH Macro Ltd. USD Shares (BHMU) 19.3 -1.03%NR