European stocks are expected to open higher on Tuesday, defying gloomier sentiment seen among global markets at the start of the trading week.
Britain’s FTSE is seen opening 51 points higher at 7,087, Germany’s DAX up 80 points at 15,487, France’s CAC 40 up 39 points at 6,403 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 224 points higher at 24,845, according to IG.
It indicates a more positive tone than on Monday when stocks closed lower as global investors weighed concerns over a rise in inflation and an increase in coronavirus cases, largely attributed to the spread of a variant that emerged in India.
A key focus in Europe on Tuesday will be an updated estimate of euro zone first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). Flash first-quarter employment figures are also due for the region, as well as U.K. unemployment data for March.
U.S. stock index futures showed more lackluster sentiment overnight; Dow futures added 17 points, while contracts tied to the S&P 500 traded around the flatline. Nasdaq 100 futures were also little changed.
The moves in the overnight session came after lingering weakness in technology stocks led the major U.S. indexes lower on Monday.
