London pre-open: Stocks to edge up on final trading day of 2018

London stocks looked set to edge higher at the open in the final trading session of 2018, amid a dearth of corporate and macroeconomic news flow.

The FTSE 100 was called to open 19 points higher at 6,753.

Signs of improving relations between the US and China were expected to lend some support, after US President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he had a "very good call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping about trade. Trump also claimed that "big progress" was being made.

Brexit was in focus following reports that the deadline could be pushed back if Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal gets voted down by Parliament in January. Meanwhile, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said in a Sunday Times interview that the chances of Britain leaving the EU were 50/50 if Parliament rejects May’s withdrawal agreement.

Investors were also likely to be digesting disappointing Chinese manufacturing figures for December. The National Bureau of Statistics’ official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index printed at 49.4 this month from 50.0 in November, falling short of expectations for a reading of 49.9 and marking the lowest level since February 2016.

London stocks will be open for a half day on Monday.