Headline shares tipped to open lower

PRE-OPEN REPORT: Headline shares are tipped to open twelve to eighteen points lower, according to financial websites, as investors fret over Irish banks and in the face of worse-than-expected UK consumer confidence data.

US & ASIA

In the US last night, the Dow lost 23 points at 10,835, the Nasdaq Composite fell 3 points at 2,377 and the S&P500 shed 3 points at 1,145.

In Asia today, the Nikkei was last down 117 points at 9,442, while the Hang Seng approached the midpoint off 68 points at 22,311.

Crude oil traded at $77.77 a barrel on Nymex.

Gold settled at $1,308 an ounce.

LONDON MARKETS

In the corporate diary today, interim results are due from Gem BioFuels, HarbourVest Global Private Equity Ld, Harvey Nash Group, Hasgrove, M&C Saatchi, Transense Technologies and XCounter.

Final results are scheduled from Eleco and Finsbury Food Group.

Trading statements are expected from Compass Group and Dairy Crest Group.

Begbies Traynor, ContentFilm, Fiske, Gasol, Iimia Inv Trust, Lombard Risk Management, MediaZest, Network Technology, Oil & Gas Development, OPG Power Ventures, Redstone, Rockhopper Exploration, Sefton Resources, Triple Plate Junction and United Carpets host their AGMs.