City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open down 37 points from Friday's close of 6,379, tracking Asian stocks lower which fell on concerns that a stricter monetary policy might be needed in China as property prices continue to rocket.

Today's economic announcements include PMI construction in the UK, EU, and Germany, along with the EU producer price index.

In UK company news, engineering and construction group Kentz Corporation has been awarded a multi-year telecommunications contract for the Fort Hills Oil Sands Project in Canada, under which it will become the main telecom contractor for the project. The scope comprises of engineering and procurement services for the temporary and permanent information technology infrastructures.

Integrated energy giant Essar Energy has been granted phase III environmental clearance for its coal bed methane gas field at Raniganj, West Bengal, which allows it to increase drilling to 650 wells on the block. This will enable it to build-up production to the targeted level of around three million standard cubic metres of gas per day (scmd), up from around 60,000 scmd currently.

Revenue rose by 17 per cent to £2.1bn in the full year ended December 31st at safety services provider Intertek. The company reported that operating profit increased by of 19% to £335m with constant currency organic profit growth of 11.2%. An adjusted operating profit margin of 16.3% was recorded.

Related share prices
Intertek Group (ITRK) share price
Kentz Corporation Ltd. (KENZ) share price
Essar Energy (ESSR) share price