Leading shares have edged lower ahead of the UK GDP figures, despite a strong overnight performance on Wall Street.
A positive Chinese manufacturing survey on Thursday had lifted mining shares, but growing concerns about a liquidity squeeze in the country has taken off some of the shine and pushed Asian shares lower.
The FTSE 100 is currently down 2.62 points at 6710.56, having hit a new five month high on Monday. Mike van Dulken at Accendo Markets said:
Asian markets are still held back by some disappointing corporate earnings reactions and nagging doubts over a potential liquidity crunch in China (money market rates highest since mid July). Still below summer highs, but not exactly going the right way as government refrains to intervene to calm inflation.
Among the risers G4S is up 6.2p at 259.2p as its management reshuffle continued, with UK chief executive Richard Morris leaving. HSBC analysts raised their rating from underweight to neutral and their target price from 205p to 250p, saying:
Business fundamentals remain challenging in Europe and may precipitate a weak close to 2013. However, hopes that value can be unlocked through breakups and a rejuvenated strategy are likely to buoy G4S' stock through what is perceived as a rump of difficult trading.
Royal Bank of Scotland has risen 6.7p to 363.2p on talk of the bank appointing Morgan Stanley to lead the flotation of US subsidiary Citizens, as well as sales of some of its property assets.
