It's been a relatively quiet morning for the FTSE 100, as the index tries to set a consistent course.

At 10.25am (London time) the FTSE was running flat on the morning, with no major movers in either direction. Slight weakness among miners is being offset by banking and energy stocks currently, but firmer crude prices seem to have settled the index. Vedanta (-1.09%) and Fresnillo (-1.40%) are among those deepest in the red, while HSBC (+1.07%) and Cairn Energy (+1.16%) are making modest gains. Investors appear to be playing a waiting game, holding their positions ahead of what could be an action-packed second half of the week.

After two days of losses for London's blue chips, the FTSE is evidently searching for meaningful direction. This direction may be generated right here in the UK, with results from the likes of RBS and Lloyds later this week likely to either reinforce, or not, the good health that Barclays suggested the financial sector is experiencing. Investors will also be mapping a course according to the stars, and stripes. The FTSE reacted to disappointing US consumer confidence figures yesterday, but investors will be waiting for Fed chairman Ben Bernanke's address to The House of Representatives and the Senate today and tomorrow over last week's surprise decision to increase the discount rate for emergency loans.