Source: Sharecast
The FTSE 100 was called to open unchanged at 9,138.
According to the latest GfK survey, consumer confidence dipped in July, with the long-running consumer confidence index one point lower at -19.
Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said the data suggests that some people may be sensing stormy conditions ahead.
"With speculation growing over possible tax rises in the Autumn Budget, and price pressure contributing not just to higher inflation already but also to the likelihood of worse inflation to come, the news is worrying," he said.
Investors were also digesting the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, which showed that retail sales bounced back in June, up 0.9% on the month following a 2.8% drop in May, which was revised down from a 2.7% decline.
Food stores sales volumes rose 0.7% in June following a 5.4% fall the month before. This was mainly thanks to improved supermarket sales, with some retailers mentioning increased sales of drinks due to the warm weather.
In corporate news, Close Brothers said it had sold its Winterflood execution services and securities business to Marex Group for £103.9m in cash as it slims down its portfolios to focus on the group's core lending activities.
Landscaping products manufacturer Marshalls warned that activity levels in its key markets had softened from the end of May and said it did not see "any immediate catalyst" for improvement for the remainder of 2025.
Interim revenues came to £319.0m, up 4% year-on-year, with volume growth being partially offset by weaker pricing and product mix.
