What you need to know before the open
European stock futures have been falling as the tensions in Ukraine continue to rise.
The rouble is currently at an all-time low, and Russia’s central bank has announced it’s hiking its benchmark interest rate from 5.5 per cent to seven per cent.
All European markets are expected to fall sharply at the open, after Ukraine mobilised for war yesterday following Russia’s President Putin’s declaration that he has the right to invade his neighbour.
Putin has not as yet heeded calls to pull back Russian troops.
Asian stocks slid on the news, while oil prices have leapt. Spot gold has hit its highest price since October.
Corporate news
Vodafone’s released a report on how mobile technology can boost female literacy, and therefore global productivity, by $29bn a year by 2020.
And Serco’s appointed three new non-executives to its board, including former deputy Bank of England governor Rachel Lomax.
In Europe
EU ministers are set to meet for an emergency session in Brussels today, responding to the growing turmoil in Ukraine.
Data in focus
- 8.53am: German Feb manufacturing PMI
- 8.58am: EU Feb manufacturing PMI
- 9.28am: UK Feb manufacturing PMI
- 9.30am: UK Jan mortgage approvals
- 1.30pm: US Jan personal income and spending
- 3.00pm: US Jan construction spending
- 3.00pm: US Feb ISM manufacturing