What you need to know before the open
European markets are set for a subdued start today, taking a breather after the rally seen over the past three weeks.
Sentiment remains bullish, though, with several key indices hitting key levels.
The FTSE 100, DAX and CAC are all expected lower at the open.
A positive day on Wall Street yesterday, along with better-than-expected business sentiment figures from Germany, gave Asian markets a boost in Tuesday trading.
Corporate news
Ladbrokes has reported a 66 per cent plummet in 2013 profit, and says it’ll close up to 50 shops.
Conversely, house builder Persimmon saw profits more than double last year on the back of rising demand.
In Europe
Germany saw growth of 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013, in line with expectations and a slight increase after 0.3 per cent growth in the third quarter.
Data in focus
- 7.45am: France Feb business confidence
- 9.30am: UK Jan BBA loans for house purchase
- 10.00am: EU EC economic growth forecasts
- 10.00am: UK inflation report hearings
- 11.00am: UK Feb CBI distributive trades
- 2.00pm: US Dec S&P/Case-Shiller home prices
- 3.00pm: US Feb consumer confidence