Proactive Investors - The FTSE 100 is expected to open higher on Thursday after strong gains in the US although the future of Metro Bank that may attract the early headlines.
Spread betting companies are calling London’s lead index up by around 25 points after closing down 57.71 points at 7,412.45 on Wednesday.
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.4%, the S&P 500 rose 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.4%.
Softer economic data boosted equities along with a slide in bond yields although a sharp fall in oil prices limited gains in the Dow.
Thursday sees weekly jobless claims figures in the US ahead of non-farm payrolls figures on Friday.
Back in London, and the early focus will be a trading update from Imperial Brands (LON:IMB) – in the spotlight after moves by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to cut cigarette use and review the vape industry.
While Metro Bank will also be watched after the Financial Times reported it is seeking to raise up to £600 million to shore up its finances.
The UK challenger bank is in talks with investors about raising £250 million in equity funding and £350 million in debt, the report said.
The talks came after regulators last month failed to approve a request from Metro to lower the capital requirements attached to its mortgage business.
Metro told the FT: "As previously stated, Metro Bank continues to consider how best to optimise its capital resources to allow it to take advantage of the deposit and asset origination platform that has been built."