London pre-open: FTSE set to track US stocks lower, again

City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open down 40 points from yesterday's close of 5,722, tracking losses in the US overnight. The Dow Jones tumbled 185 points as disappointing economic data, worries about the impending 'fiscal cliff' and the prospect of heightened tensions in the Middle East all combined to heighten investors' concerns. The tension in the Middle East has arisen after Israeli air stikes on the Gaza Strip killed the head of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, and all eyes will be watching to see what move follows. Today's UK economic announcements include internet retail sales, and general retail sales, while international announcements include Bloomberg Consumer Confidence, both the Europe and US Consumer Price Index, the ECB report, and German GDP. In company news, Centrica, the utilities company which trades under the British Gas and Scottish Gas name, is on track to achieve earnings growth in line with expectations, provided the weather and commodity prices play ball. Average UK residential gas consumption for the first ten months of 2012 was 9% higher than for the same period of 2011, while average electricity consumption was 1% lower.BP is one step closer to drawing a line under the Deepwater Horizon incident two years ago and is said to be in 'advanced discussions' with US regulators regarding resolutions of all claims against the oil and gas company. The incident, known as the Macondo blowout or the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, resulted in the deaths of 11 workers in April 2010 and was classed as the world's largest-ever offshore oil spill for its environmental implications. Utilities group National Grid said restoration expenses following Hurricane Sandy, excluding those related to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), are not expected to exceed £100m. The group announced underlying pre-tax profit of £1,154m for the six months to the end of September, up 21% from £953m the year before. Statutory profit before tax of £1,285m was up 37% higher than the £941m achieved at the halfway stage last year. The interim dividend has been increased to 14.49p, in line with the group's policy of targeting 4% dividend growth in the current financial year.