Fit and refreshed after yesterday's Labour Day holiday, traders are set to return to the fray today, with spread betting quotes indicating that a inconclusive start could be on the cards.

Investors may well be waiting for the release of August manufacturing data from the Institute for Supply Management before committing themselves.

Corporate news is not exactly flooding out after the long week-end. Smithfield Foods may may catch the eye in early trading after its first quarter earnings came in below expectations.

The packaged meats business failed to bring home the bacon with earnings per share of 40 cents, down from 49 cents last year and below the 44 cents expected by the market.

In contrast, Campbell Soup pleased the market with its forecast-beating figures.


JH

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