London stocks were set to gain at the open on Monday at the start of what was likely to be a quiet few sessions in the lull between Christmas and New Year.
The FTSE 100 was called to open around 20 points higher.
On the macro front, there are no UK data points due, but in the US, pending home sales for November and the Dallas Fed manufacturing index for December will be released at 1500 GMT and 1530 GMT, respectively.
In corporate news, International Personal Finance said it had accepted a takeover offer from BasePoint Capital in a deal worth £543m.
IPF shareholders will get 235p a share in cash, a 31% premium to the closing price when talks between the two specialist lenders started in July.
Elsewhere, cinema operator Everyman Media said chief executive Alex Scrimgeour has stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
Non-executive director Farah Golant will assume the role of CEO on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found.