What you need to know before the open
Talks between US and Russia will be taking place in London today, ahead of the much-contended referendum in Crimea on Sunday.
Concerns over the fortunes and future of the region continue to eat into investor confidence, with European markets expected lower across the board today.
Asian markets suffered in Friday trading from the anxiety-induced risk aversion brought about by the situation in Ukraine and the slowdown in Chinese growth.
In addition, China's first domestic bond default sealed the worst week Asian markets have seen in almost two years. Commodity prices have slumped too, with a large copper sell-off being seen over the week.
German inflation has been confirmed at 1.2 per cent in February year-on-year. Month-on-month, also in line with expectation, the consumer price index came in at 0.5 per cent.
Corporate news
Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has reported a 9.1 per cent rise in revenues and an 3.2 per cent increase in profit before tax to £36m in the 26 weeks to the end of January.
Chief executive Tim Martin has again criticised the tax advantages supermarkets get over pubs: “The biggest danger to the pub industry is the continuing tax disparity between supermarkets and pubs.”
Data in focus
- 9.30am: EU Feb construction output
- 9.30am: UK Jan trade balance
- 10.00am: EU fourth quarter employment change
- 10.00am: Jan CB leading economic index
- 12.30pm: US Feb producer price index
- 1.55pm: March Reuters/Michigan consumer sentiment index