London pre-open: Stocks set to rise as investors mull GfK data

(Sharecast News) - Stocks were expected to open on the front foot on Friday, as investors digested the latest GfK data on consumer confidence while US president Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping met overnight in Washington.

The FTSE 100 was called to open up 25 points.

The latest consumer confidence index from GfK, part of the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, came in at -13, up one point on August and the third consecutive month of rises.

Respondents were more confident about their current financial situation and the wider economy, as well as being more optimistic about the coming year.

Both the forward-looking personal financial situation and general economic situation sub-indices rose by one point each, to 5 and -22 respectively.

However, the major purchase index dipped one point to -8, while the savings index was up 5 at 27. The savings index is not used to calculate the overall consumer confidence barometer but provides a measure of household's spending intentions.

In the US, China's president was hosted by Trump at a lavish state dinner following talks on a range of issues, including trade and artificial intelligence. A trade truce has been agreed, but only by two months. However, US Treasury Secretary said it would give Washington and Beijing "more time to see what we can do on the economic front". Last year's truce was due to end in November.

Back home, and in an otherwise quiet morning for corporate news, United Utilities Group updated on trading. The blue chip confirmed its financial framework and guidance for 2026/27 remained unchanged, and that it was continuing to target regulatory returns of 10% to 11% in the current framework period. Operational performance was in line with expectations, it added.