The FTSE 100 is expected to open modestly higher after gains on Wall Street and around Asia overnight.
The upbeat mood on the markets was prompted by marginally better than expected employment and service sector numbers from the US.
A dampener was provided in the form of stats from HBSC, which downgraded its growth predictions for economic powerhouse China.
The international bank expects GDP in the People’s Republic to grow by 7.8 per cent, compared with a previously forecast 8 per cent, though it has upgraded by 0.1 points its 2013 estimate to 8.6 per cent.
Ahead of trading in London the bulls appear to be winning the two-way pull over market sentiment.
Britain’s blue-chip index is predicted to open 17 points to the good 5,839.5.
Overnight, the Dow Jones closed 12.25 points to the good at 13,494.61, while the Nikkei 225 was trading 98.61 points higher at 8,845.48.
Later today both the European Central Bank and Bank of England are expected to leave interest rates on hold. The discussion amongst economist at the moment is about the timing and quantum of further fiscal stimulus both here and on the Continent.
Tissue Regenix, Matchtech and Ted Baker are among the small-caps reporting today here in London.