Financial spreadbetters expect London's FTSE to open 32 points higher at 7,311, Frankfurt's DAX to open 98 points higher at 11,624 and Paris' CAC to open 42 points lower at 5,393, a trader said.

Over in Asia, stocks rallied as the positive Chinese factory gauges and signs of progress in Sino-US trade talks boosted sentiment, although another defeat for British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal added to sterling's woes.

The British Parliament will vote again on different Brexit options later today and then May could try one last roll of the dice by bringing her deal back to a vote in parliament as soon as tomorrow. Parliament is due to vote at around 1900 GMT.