Tuesday is set to have a steady start to trading in London, with the FTSE 100 expected to begin just a few points higher.
In Asia, stocks are trading lower following weaker economic stats from China and Japan.
The Shanghai Composite is down some 1.4% at 3,038, while Japan's Nikkei fell 1.6% at 17,556. Hong Kong's Hang Seng meanwhile edged just 0.12% higher.
Having been closed yesterday for the Labor Day holiday Wall Street is currently seen higher, though there are many more hours for pre-market changes.
Oil prices are down again, with Brent below US$48 per barrel and West Texas Intermediary futures almost 4% lower at US$44.33.
The price of gold, meanwhile, is slightly higher at 1,120.
In the papers
The Times says that the new banking tax could bring in twice as much as initially expected. The paper highlights a Ernst & Young report which claims that £12bn could be paid to the Treasury over five years.
A major shareholder of Sports Direct (LON:SPD) won't back Mike Ashley after losing confidence, The Times said.
The Financial Times reports that 888 Holdings (LON:888) is still in the market for acquisitions following its failed bid for Bwin.
It also says that Gazprom's deal to acquire North Sea assets will be scrutinised as Britain aims to send Russia a "clear message" over Ukraine.
A report in The Daily Telegraph says Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance is looking at a possible £2bn bid for Amlin (LON:AML).