London pre-open: Stocks to gain as investors eye central bank announcements

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to gain at the open on Monday as investors eyed a week that includes the release of UK jobs data, inflation figures and a host of central bank policy announcements. The FTSE 100 was called to open around 35 points higher.

Danske Bank said: "All eyes will be on the Thursday central bank meetings from the ECB, Riksbank, Norges Bank and Bank of England (BoE). Market consensus expects the ECB to leave the deposit rate unchanged on the back of data coming in stronger than expected by the ECB staff. We also expect the Riksbank and Norges bank to keep interest rates steady in line with market pricing.

"The BoE is expected to cut the bank rate, but the labour market report on Tuesday and November CPI figures on Wednesday may play a role in the final outcome."

Corporate news was scarce, but Hikma Pharmaceuticals announced that its chief executive has stepped down just over a month after the blue chip warned on profits.

Hikma said Riad Mishlawi - who has been with the business for 35 years, the last two of which as chief executive - was leaving by mutual agreement.

He will be replaced by former incumbent and current executive chair Said Darwazah.