London pre-open: Stocks expected to fall as volumes pick up

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Sharecast News | 05 Jan, 2015

Updated : 07:46

UK stocks are expected to drop on Monday morning as traders return to their desks in a cautious mood after the festive holidays.

City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 40 points lower than Friday’s close of 6,547.80.

“This Monday finally sees the return of most traders from the Christmas break and also the return of the volume into these markets,” said analyst James Hughes from Alpari UK.

He said it should also be a fairly busy week for the economic data calendar with Eurozone inflation and purchasing managers’ indices, a Bank of England rate decision and the US jobs report all due for release.

“So anyone who thought they could just ease themselves back into things with a comfortable week will have a bit of a shock coming,” Hughes said.

Stocks to watch

Stevia ingredients maker PureCircle has painted an upbeat outlook, as launches of lower-calorie fizzy drinks by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo resulted in a 24% jump in sales in the first half.

Morrison Construction, a subsidiary of British housebuilder Galliford Try, has secured a £45.2m deal to build and operate the first phase of the redevelopment of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

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