London pre-open: Stocks to pause ahead of UK inflation data

UK stocks are expected to open more or less flat after plunging to a three-month low on the back of continuing concerns over Greece.City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open eight points lower than Monday's close of 6,710.52. This was the index's lowest finish since 10 March when it settled at 6,702.84.An abrupt end to debt talks on Sunday night in Brussels between Greece and its lenders rattled investors' nerves across Europe, as discussions ended after just 45 minutes on the back of disagreements over issues such as pension reforms and tax rates."Negotiations have hit rough patches on numerous occasions throughout this process but this is the first time that they appear to have totally collapsed," said Oanda analyst Craig Erlam. "At this stage it is difficult to see how this will be resolved without significant compromises being made, something both sides have absolutely no interest in."UK consumer price index (CPI) data due out at 09:30 is expected to show that prices bounced back in May after turning negative for the first time on record the month before.The annual rate of change in the CPI, the main measure of UK inflation, is predicted to show a 0.1% increase last month, according to the majority of analysts, following a 0.1% fall in April.UK producer price and retail price indices will also be released on Tuesday, along with an influx of data abroad, including building permits and housing starts in the States, the ZEW business sentiment index in Germany and new car registrations in Europe.Stocks to watchPharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline could reportedly become the latest takeover target in the industry. According to the Daily Mail, market participants are speculating that the company may face an approach from Switzerland's Roche or US company Johnson & Johnson at about 1900p per share.Leisure group Whitbread said it has started the new financial year well, as strong growth at its Costa and Premier Inn brands made up for weakness in the restaurants division. Total sales increased by 12.5% in the first quarter ended 28 May, driven by 17.2% growth at Costa and a 14.3% improvement at Premier Inn. However, the restaurants unit increased sales by just 1.6% because of a "soft" pub/restaurant market outside the M25.Industrial equipment hire company Ashtead posted a 33% rise in full-year pre-tax profit to £473.8m from £356.5m on the back of strong US and UK markets, as it said it was confident in the medium-term outlook.