What you need to know before the open
Caution’s in the air this morning as nervousness around the deteriorating situation in Ukraine sees investors risk averse. Markets are, therefore, expected to open lower.
US markets stayed around all-time highs last night, although there was some notably treasuries buying.
Markets will focus on Janet Yellen’s testimony this afternoon, which’ll shed some light on the Fed’s attitude towards the unimpressive economic data the country’s been seeing.
Corporate news
RBS has announced a worse-than-expected loss of £8.2bn for 2013.
RSA has confirmed a £775m rights issue, reporting increased losses of £338m last year.
Insurer Standard Life has warned that independence could see it move jobs and assets out of Scotland.
And some more cheerful news from British American Tobacco. The firm saw profit before tax up £207m in 2013, despite difficult trading conditions.
In Europe
German unemployment figures are expected to show that the powerhouse economy is still outperforming European neighbours, with an anticipated decline of 10,000 and the rate remaining at 6.8 per cent.
Data in focus
- 7.45am: France Feb consumer confidence
- 8.55am: German Feb unemployment rate
- 10.00am: EU Feb confidence surveys
- 1.00pm: German Feb inflation
- 1.30pm: US Jan durable goods orders
- 1.30pm: US initial jobless claims
- 3.00pm: US Yellen testimony