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

UK 100 Index called to open +50pts at 6130 having rallied after-hours maintaining rising support since 11 Dec. August rising channel regained, but for how long this time?! 20-day MA proving a hurdle, but a break above could herald a further 100pts upside to the 100-day MA. Watch levels: Bullish 6224, Bearish 6000.

Another positive opening call comes in a volatile runup to Christmas where we’ve seen large swings and wide ranges. Stabilisng (for now) energy prices have helped to buoy global indices with Asian bourses extending their gains of the last two days, seemingly on an improved growth outlook. The knock-on effect, of course, being a helping hand for commodities and thus the UK 100 and her incumbent and much loved miners.

US bourses did well on Tuesday on good macro data indicating the economy has benefitted from increased consumer confidence in Q3, confidence reflected in the Fed’s decision to pull the plug on really cheap money last week.

In focus on a quiet Monday we have a slew of US data at 1.30pm. Hopes abound that the prints will at least confirm consensus expectations for consumer spending, while markets could do with a good set of beats elsewhere! Later in the day we get US new home sales and Uni. of Michigan consumer confidence both seen softer, while US Crude inventories round off the day.

WTI popped up above Brent overnight, with the spread between the two vanishing after approval was granted for the ban on US exports to be lifted. Initial crude inventory data also showed an unexpected drawdown in US stockpiles ahead of more closely watched data due out this afternoon.

Gold remains buoyed with the USD Basket in a 4 day downtrend. If you’re a Gold bull, look for a breakout above $1080 as the yellow metal moves further into a narrowing pattern. With one eye - you’ll need the other one to watch the Dollar!

For any help you may require placing trades or in terms of market information, put a call in to our trading floor – it’s all part of the service.

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

• Galliford Try appointed to two regional frameworks under MoD programme

• Game Digital sees adj. EBITDA for 26 weeks to Jan. 23 about 30 mln stg

• Sportech says received indicative proposals for Football Pools business

• Kier Group says Richard Bailey to leave board in January

• Panmure Gordon sees FY loss after tax of between 4 mln stg to 4.5 mln stg

• Premier Oil says Solan project to pump first oil in Jan

• AstraZeneca says U.S. approves Zurampic for gout treatment

• Shire has made a new acquisition offer for peer Baxalta International that is roughly in line with the latter's valuation expectations, making a deal in the coming weeks likely, people familiar with the matter told Reuters