London pre-open: Strong start expected as 'tapering' concerns ease

Markets are expected to open with decent gains on Friday morning following a rebound on Asian markets overnight as fears about 'tapering' at the Federal Reserve eased. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open up around 40 points from yesterday's close of 6,305.Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is expected to push back on predictions for the first interest-rate rise. Some investors have been bringing this date forward, despite comments by Fed officials to the contrary, as economic data over recent weeks continues to improve. However, a report in The Wall Street Journal last night suggested that the bank is likely to attempt to calm fears over an eventual tapering of asset purchases by saying that an adjustment in quantitative easing won't mean that stimulus won't end all at once."Following a volatile week, confidence has now started to enter the market as an adjustment to the programme doesn't necessarily mean a complete end their bond-buying scheme," said Financial Sales Trader Lee Mumford from Sparedex.Meanwhile, Asian markets were also helped higher by the minutes of the later Bank of Japan policy meeting, in which a few policymakers suggested that the central bank could take more action if needed following the aggressive easing programme initiated in April."The current framework didn't rule out the possibility of necessary adjustments, and therefore, flexibility is sufficiently ensured," a few members said at the May 21-22nd meeting. Stocks to watchRBS will likely continue to be in focus today as markets continue to digest the surprise departure of Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hester, as well as the lender's announcement yesterday to cut 2,000 further investment-banking jobs. Among the rumoured potential successors for Hester's position is Lloyds Deputy Chairman Philip Hampton.Elsewhere, corporate news was thin on the ground this morning with newly merged resources conglomerate Glencore Xstrata being the only blue-chip firm to release a statement. The group announced that it has signed revolving credit facility worth $17.34bn to support general corporate activity, replacing the previous facilities of the two companies before the merger. IP Group, the AIM-listed developer of intellectual property-based businesses, has announced that its Chief Operating Officer is to step down from the board at the end of the month for health reasons.