London pre-open: Slow start expected

26th Mar 2010 07:51

London looks set for a subdued opening with company news thin on the ground. Dealers expect the FTSE 100 will open around 9 points down from Thursday's close.Temporary power and heating specialist Aggreko has won a €35m contract to help alleviate the Côte d'Ivoire's problems with power cuts. Aggreko will provide the Société de Gestion du Patrimoine du Secteur de l'Electricité (SOGEPE) and the Société d'Opération Ivoirienne d'Electricité (SOPIE) with 70 megawatts (mw) of natural gas fuelled temporary power over a two year period.Footwear and condom group SSL expects sales this year to come in at about £795m for the year to March, up 22% and driven by the acquisitions of BLBV in Russia and Gainbridge in the Ukraine. Both acquisitions continue to perform well, SSL said, and sales consolidated in this year are expected to be in the region of £120m. SSL's branded consumer sales are expected to be approximately £630m or underlying growth of around 4% adjusting for currencies.Banknote printer De La Rue has confirmed it is selling its stake in UK Lottery operator Camelot Group and Camelot's sister company, Camelot Global Services, for £77.8m in cash to Premier Lotteries UK Limited, a company controlled by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan .