The FTSE 100 was trading 0.1 per cent lower at 6,384 in early trading as investors awaited a wave of key economic data, including German unemployment, Eurozone consumer confidence and money supply figures.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was trading 0.2 per cent lower this morning after hitting 344.47 on Tuesday, its highest close since January 2008. Meanwhile, Germany’s Dax index retreated after reaching a record high.

Michael Hewson, chief market Analyst at CMC Markets UK, said that there is the prospect of further gains across Europe if today’s economic data surprises to the upside, “as investors buy into a narrative of improving economic data and a backdrop of a further loosening of monetary policy from the European Central Bank at next week’s rate meeting”.

GSK and Weir fall, RBS gains

The Serious Fraud Office has opened a criminal investigation into the “commercial practices” of GlaxoSmithKline, causing shares in the pharmaceutical group to decline this morning. While details regarding this particular case are not yet known, the news will come as a further blow to shareholders after a wave of allegations against the company relating to international bribery.

Engineering group Weir fell after dropping its pursuit to merge with Metso after continued rejections from the board of the Finnish rival. “Weir believes it made a compelling proposal but remains financially disciplined and therefore does not intend to pursue this opportunity further at this time,” Weir said.

Royal Bank of Scotland rose on reports that it is set to push through job cuts at its US mortgage business as the lender trims costs to avoid regulatory pressure from the Federal Reserve.

Banknote printer De La Rue jumped after as reported a 43 per cent surge in annual underlying operating profit and said it entered the new financial year with a good order book.

Discretionary wealth manager Brewin Dolphin underwhelmed with a 25 per cent increase in adjusted profits in the first half as the interim dividend came in slightly below forecasts.

Serco gained after being selected to manage the new 15-year franchise for the Caledonian Sleeper service between London and several Scottish cities, taking over from current operator FirstGroup from April 2015.

A host of stocks were automatically trading lower after going ex-dividend this morning, including heavyweights Marks & Spencer and Whitbread. Amec, Bellway, Britvic, Cable & Wireless Communications, Premier Farnell and Spectris also went ex-dividend today.

FTSE 100 – Risers
London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 1,940.00p +1.78%
Admiral Group (ADM) 1,413.00p +1.51%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,010.00p +1.20%
Severn Trent (SVT) 1,919.00p +1.05%
BT Group (BT.A) 396.00p +1.02%
Experian (EXPN) 1,032.00p +0.88%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,464.00p +0.81%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 626.00p +0.77%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 796.00p +0.76%
RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 479.40p +0.74%

FTSE 100 – Fallers
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 444.20p -1.44%
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,611.00p -1.44%
Diageo (DGE) 1,879.00p -1.11%
Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 197.80p -1.10%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 3,307.00p -1.08%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,359.00p -1.02%
BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,928.00p -1.00%
Tesco (TSCO) 299.80p -0.99%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,514.00p -0.98%
Barclays (BARC) 243.25p -0.92%

Source: ShareCast