The prospect of today's tapering announcement from the US Federal Reserve kept action in the FTSE 100 to a minimum in morning trading.
Royal Bank of Scotland(RBS)could make a decision on the sale of its 315-branch Project Rainbow business this week, amid reports one of the three bidders for the unit has had its offer rejected.
UK CPI inflation fell from 2.8% to 2.7% in August, in line with economists' expectations, as falling transport costs pushed the headline figure down.
It is 'possible' the coalition government could break up before the next general election in 2015, according to Vince Cable.
US hedge funds moved to snap up shares in Lloyds Banking Group overnight as the UK government put its 6% stake up for sale in a move to begin privatising the bank.
John Wyn-Evans has joined Investec Wealth & Investment as head of investment strategy.
The FTSE 100 has jumped almost 1% after former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers withdrew his candidacy to replace Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke next year.