LONDON (Reuters) - The FTSE 100 index is seen opening up 30-44 points, or as much as 0.8 percent higher on Monday, according to financial bookmakers, bouncing back after a flat showing on Monday in tandem with pre-weekend gains on Wall Street and advances on Monday in Asia.
The blue chip index closed 1.19 points lower on Friday at 5,312.62 with weakness in banks weighing as the sector awaited the outcome of European stress tests, not released until after the London close.
Only seven of 91 banks -- five small Spanish banks, Germany's state-rescued Hypo Real Estate and Greece's ATEbank -- failed the tests, for an overall capital shortfall of 3.5 billion euros (2.9 billion pounds).
The shortfall was much smaller than the 30-100 billion euros predicted by markets, although many European banks have already raised capital during the financial crisis, and there remained some scepticism that the stress tests on European banks were not strict enough.
U.S. stocks rose about 1 percent on Friday as GE (General Electric Company) shares jumped after the conglomerate increased its quarterly dividend by 20 percent, the latest in a string of bullish news from big U.S. multinationals which have helped ease concerns that the global economic recovery may be stalling.
Asian shares rose on Monday supported by the solid U.S. corporate earnings picture, while the euro moved higher as the bank tests showed no nasty surprises.
On the macro front, no domestic economic data will be released on Monday, with little due all week. The main focus will be on U.S. second quarter GDP numbers on Friday.
Ahead of that, June U.S. new home sales will be the main feature on Monday, due at 3 p.m., with a slight increase to 0.31 million expected, after May's 0.30 million. Chicago's Fed index will be released at 1.30 p.m.
The U.S. second-quarter earnings calendar remains full this week, but there are less household names, with broker Legg Mason (Legg Mason Inc) the only real interest on Monday.
Stocks to watch on Monday are:
PEARSON (Pearson PLC ORD 25P)
The publishing group posts first-half results.
RECKITT BENCKISER
The household and personal care products group reports first-half results.
NATIONAL GRID
The power generation group issues a trading update.
PACE (Pace PLC ORD 5P)
The set-top box maker delivers first-half results.
FILTRONIC (Filtronic PLC ORD 10P)
The mobile phone components group reports full-year results.
WSP GROUP
The environmental consultancy posts first-half results.
DIALIGHT
The applied LED technology firm delivers first-half results.
CRESTON (CRC-Evans International Inc Co)
The property group issues a Q1 trading update.
HOGG ROBINSON GROUP (Hogg ROB (WI) ORD 1P (WI))
The travel tour operator holds its annual general meeting.
CRANSWICK (Cranswick PLC ORD 10P)
The pork producer holds its annual general meeting.
(Reporting by Jon Hopkins; Editing by Mike Nesbit)