FTSE flat as investors await GDP figures

The FTSE has opened trading cautiously as investors await the final fourth quarter UK GDP reading this morning.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is expected to announce GDP will remain at the last month's revised figure of a 0.6% contraction, down from the 0.5% initial estimate in January. The FTSE has opened up marginally at 0.13% to 5,912. Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac is up 0.13% to 3,983 and the German Dax is marginally up 0.06% to 6,942. Meanwhile, in Asia the Nikkei 225 was set to post heavy losses, down 1.5% two hours before the market closed, however the index staged a late rally which pulled the index down to end trading 0.3% down. Renewed radiation fears in Japan playe...