US stocks are set for a firm start, helped by the continued rally by oil prices.
Brent Crude crossed $42 per barrel for the first time since mid-December, while the US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) , also settled above $40 a barrel yesterday, setting a new high for the year. In electronic trading this morning WTI was just eight cents shy of hitting $41.
In corporate news, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc (NYSE:HOT) has jilted Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR) at the altar, and run off with another suitor, China's Anbang Insurance Group, which pitched up with a better offer.
Shares in both US hotels groups are expected to rise when trading starts today.
Spread betting quotes point to a solid start for the Dow Jones Average, which is tipped to rise to 17,521 after closing at 17,481 last night.
The broader-based S&P 500 is expected to advance to around 2,044 from last night's close of 2,041.