PRE-OPEN REPORT: Headline shares are tipped to open flat to slightly lower today, according to financial websites, with miners hoping to benefit from rising metals prices and retailers hit by the continuing freeze.
In America, the Dow shed seven points at 11,492, the Nasdaq Composite rose six points at 2,643 and the S&P500 added a point at 1,244.
In Asia today, the Nikkei was recently off 85 points at 10,219, while the Hang Seng ended the morning down 225 points at 22,490.
Crude oil traded at £56.68 a barrel on Nymex and gold settled at £890.81 an ounce.
As befits the week before Christmas, there is a complete lack of corporate earnings news today.
ILA Group, Leed Petroleum, The Niche Group and Proactis Holdings host their AGMs.
For the latest AIM and FTSE news, plus the West Midlands risers and fallers, go to our Shares & Markets section.Click here
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