What you need to know before the US open
A lower open is expected for European markets this morning, as investors look towards inflation and unemployment numbers for the Eurozone.
The prospect of new intervention from the European Central Bank, expected to be announced at its policy meeting this week, has been buoying market confidence.
Asian counterparts moved higher in trading today, on the back of solid US and Chinese data.
Nationwide’s latest house price figures show a record high for the average UK house price of £186, 512 – topping a number last seen in October 2007.
And The European Commission has appealed to the UK to raise council taxes on higher value properties, build more homes and trim the Help to Buy scheme.
Corporate news
Foxtons’ chief executive Michael Brown has stepped down for “personal reasons”. Brown took compassionate leave earlier this year. He’s been with the estate agent for 12 years.
And plumbing and heating firm Wolseley said disappointing UK sales and currency headwinds have hit revenues.
Data in focus
- 9.30am: UK May construction PMI
- 10.00am: EU May inflation
- 10.00am: EU April unemployment rate
- 2.45pm: US April factory orders