London pre-open: Modest rise forecast for FTSE

City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open up three points from yesterday's close of 6,244. The modest gain is expected despite losses seen in both Asia and the US overnight, and follows four consecutive days of decline on the FTSE. On today's agenda are US initial unemployment claims data and the Philly Fed manufacturing survey, while closer to home investors are awaiting both internet retail sales and general retail sales data. In company news, consumer packaging giant Rexam said results since the start of January have been in line with company expectations and, while volume growth has been slower than predicted towards the end of the quarter, it expects to make further progress this year.Synergy Health, which provides specialist outsourced services to health related markets, has reported a 'robust' period of trading during the fourth quarter. The firm's operating margins have been maintained primarily as a result of continued cost management and improving dynamics in the Dutch market. SABMiller's annual growth rate rose more than expected as the beverage company's revenues climbed on price increases and the impact of regional mix. The brewer of popular beers Peroni and Groslsh reported a 3.0% increase in lager volumes on an organic basis for the year to March 31st 2013. It beat the 2.0% forecast by analysts at Investec. NR