After finishing 2017 on a record high, the FTSE 100 is on track to move onwards and upwards to kick off 2018, according to London Capital Group.
LGC is expecting a bright start for the FTSE, saying positive data out of China could mean miners top the table in early trading.
"The out performance of the heavily weighted mining sector was one reason alongside currency weakness that propelled the UK benchmark higher last year," LGC added.
It's calling the FTSE 100 to open seven points higher at 7,694, while the German Dax is expected to start off the new year 37 points lower at 12,880, and the French Cac opening eight points lower at 5,304.
Strong manufacturing data from China helped strengthen most Southeast Asian stock markets today – manufacturing growth shot to a four month high, according to a fresh survey.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.5 per cent, while Singapore shares edged up 0.4 per cent, and Indonesian shares climbed 0.8 per cent.
Corporate news
- Hyundai Motor – shares dropped after the car firm's sale forecast for 2018
- Co-op – has confirmed plans to open 100 new food stores across the UK this year as part of a £160m investment drive
- Heathrow – the airport is shaking up charges by cutting airport charges for domestic flights and ramping up environmental charges for airlines
Data
- 08:55 – German Markit manufacturing PMI (December)
- 09:00 – Eurozone Markit manufacturing PMI (December)
- 09:30 – UK Markit manufacturing PMI (December)
- 14:45 – US Markit manufacturing PMI (December)
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