FTSE set to push over the 6,000 mark as Santa rally continues

PRE-OPEN REPORT: Headline shares are tipped to open 15 to 20 points higher today, according to financial websites, pushing the FTSE over the 6,000 level, with Rio Tinto a likely focus as it bids for coal miner Riversdale.

In America last night, the Dow rose 26 points at 11,559, the Nasdaq Composite added four points at 2,671 and the S&P500 gained four points at 1,259.

In Asia today, the Nikkei was recently down 24 points at 10,346, while the Hang Seng ended the morning up 43 points at 23,089.

Crude oil traded at £58.74 a barrel on Nymex and gold settled at £898.69 an ounce.

The latest BBA mortgage lending data is due for release at 9:30am.
In the corporate diary today, interim results are due from O Twelve Estates, while Firestone Diamonds hosts its AGM.