Markets Overview: (Source: Bloomberg, FT, Reuters, DJ Newswires)

The UK 100 Index is called to open higher by 13pts at 6809pts as the 'Better Together' campaign shows signs of leading in the battle for Scottish Independence.

Echoing public statements from RBS, Lloyds, Standard Life, BP and Royal Dutch Shell - John Lewis, Asda, Weir Group and Vodafone have voiced a preference for Scotland to remain part of the UK. This growing corporate pressure is the likely driver behind the latest poll results.

The UK Index shed 30pts yesterday on 'risk off' behaviour ahead of another round of sanctions against Russia and as the Scottish vote for independence appeared too close to call.

Winners on the day were scarce but those linked to Scotland did recover some of their recent declines as punters bought into discounts on the growing corporate support against independence.

SSE (SSE.L) gained the most, shares up 2.77%, closely followed by Standard Life (SL..L), Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) - all up as much as 1.5%.

Shares in the London Stock Exchange (LSE.L) appeared to fall 8.88%, this was a price adjustment as a result of the new discounted shares entering the market following the company's rights issue to raise $2.7bn for the takeover of US index compiler and asset management firm Frank Russell. Those who took up the rights were unaffected by this price adjustment.

Tullow Oil (TLW.L) continued its spectacular decline falling 3.13% as the price of oil fell yet again. Oil has fallen some 15% in just 3 months, this coupled with a number unsuccessful drills in recent months has led to shares trading at 697p, 44% lower than the 1250p they were trading at just 18 months ago.

Shares in Next (NXT.L) fell 3% on the back of the latest trading statement. Profits had risen 19% in the first half of the year and an initial increase in the share price was quickly taken advantage of by traders. The shares are up some 40% over the last year, the profit proving too tempting for some.

Fresnillo (FRES.L) and Randgold Resources (RRS.L) lost 2.73% and 1.34% respectively as the price of gold slipped once again. Gold fell as low as $1232.

US and Asian markets broadly traded unchanged as our international friends await a reason to buy or sell. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 failed to deviate more than 0.1% from their opening levels.

In commodities, gold dropped to a seven month low trading at $1232 and silver fell to 15 month lows of $18.45 as speculation that US borrowing cost would rise sooner than expected continued to strengthen the dollar reducing demand for precious metals as a safe haven. This week alone gold has retreated 2.4% and silver is set for its second weekly decline.

WTI rebounded from eight month lows, higher by 1.3% to $92.83 a barrel as tensions continued to escalate between Russia with Brent little changed at $98.08. Both are set for weekly declines amid concerns supply will increase even though demand weakens. The Bloomberg Commodity Index is currently trading at a five year low on speculation abundant supplies and slowing economic growth outside of the U.S. will curb demand for raw materials.

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Key Overnight Macro Data: (Source: Reuters/DJ Newswires)

• JP            Industrial Production                      Improved
• JP            Capacity Utilization                          Improved

See Live Macro Calendar for full data line-up, incl. consensus expectations

UK Company Headlines: (Source: Reuters/DJ Newswires)

• Japan's Tepco signs 17 – year LNG supply deal with BP unit
• Anite says Q1 trading ahead of last year
• Aveva Group says H1 results impacted by currency movements
• Galliford Try joint venture wins Southern Water contract
• Newmont to sell stake in Penmont JV in Mexico to Fresnillo for about $477 mln
• Costain JV wins 200 mln stg contract with Southern Water
• Fresnillo to buy 44 pct stake in Penmont JV for $450 mln
• Boohoo.com H1 revenue up 31 pct
• Pub chain JD Wetherspoon full-year profit up 3 percent
• Virgin Money appoints Moreno chairman, gearing up for IPO
• SThree third-qtr gross profit rises 18 pct
• BAT nicotine inhaler licensed as medicinal product in UK