The pound is down against the Euro 0.31 per cent  to 1.1341, and down 0.27 per cent against the dollar to 1.3455 but expect that to change when news starts arriving on the sentiment of talks between Mrs May and EU chiefs Jean-Claude Junker and Donald Tusk.

News on trade talks could return the pound to pre-Brexit levels so all eyes will be on Brussels to see if the financial settlement has been agreed and the second phase of negotiations can begin in December.

Sterling has seen a rally of late being the top performer against the dollar over the past fortnight and gaining two per cent in response to progress in Brexit negotiations. The pound has also gained one per cent against the euro. 

But the pound is still sitting on a knife-edge over the Brexit negotiations, and investors could dump sterling if talks break down, sending it down further again.

British business leaders are banking on a breakthrough today and another blow could lead firms to trigger contingency plans in preparation of a "hard" Brexit scenario.

In business news tech-giant Facebook has renewed its commitment to post-Brexit Britain by opening its new London office next year and creating 800 more jobs in the capital.

Could Sky really be sold to Disney?

The Financial Times think so, reporting that Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox has resumed talks to sell a big chunk of its assets to Walt Disney. That would include Fox's 39% stake in Sky including Sky News and Sky Sports.

Disney is keen to get hold of film and TV content as it is launching a new streaming service, the report says.

The FTSE 100 looks set to respond to Mrs May's trade talks and recoup some of last week's losses.

So far so good with the index of Britain's blue-chip shares posting a 59-point gain, arriving at 7,359.73 at the time of press.

Top riser so far today is Circassia Pharmaceuticals up 12.66 per cent, and top faller is equipment rental specialists VP PLC down 5.11 per cent.