Leading shares are set to open higher this morning, taking heart from another firm showing by Wall Street last night, although much will depend on another raft of retail trading statements due before the open, dealers said. According to spread-betting firm IG Index, the FTSE 100 is seen around 12 points higher at 5,230, after closing at 5,215.2 yesterday. US stocks closed higher on Wall Street last night, as investors focused on some strong earnings reports and concluded that new testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan on the economy was benign. The Nasdaq closed 15.39 points higher at 2,188.57, its highest level for over 4 years, while the DJIA ended 42.6 points higher at 10,689.2. Over in Asia, the Hang Seng ended the morning 12.52 points higher at 14,615.22, while the Nikkei 225 began its afternoon session 58.62 points higher at 11,847.97. Oil prices eased in Asia after data showed the impact on US oil inventories of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico was not as severe as expected. Retailers look like remaining in focus in London today when another batch of high street stores update the market on current trading. Blue-chip Boots is set to release a first quarter trading statement, with Dresdner Kleinwort saying it does not expect to see much of a turnaround despite the more positive tone at the final results in May. The broker believes sales may come in weaker than the groups' full year objective but gross margin may be slightly stronger.