FTSE flat as investors await GDP figures

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is expected to announce GDP will remain at last month's revised figure showing a 0.6% contraction in growth, worse than the 0.5% drop initially estimated in January. The FTSE has opened up marginally at 0.13% to 5,912. Elsewhere in Europe the French Cac is up 0.13% to 3,983 and the German Dax is marginally up 0.06% to 6,942. Meanwhile, in Asia the Nikkei 225 was set to post heavy losses, down 1.5% two hours before the market closed. However, a late recovery saw the index close down just 0.3%. Renewed radiation fears in Japan played its part ...