What you need to know before the open
European markets are set to have a positive opening this morning as investors await what are widely expected to be encouraging job numbers from the US.
Analysts estimate payrolls to rise by around 200,000, which may raise confidence in the strength of the US economy.
However, a better than expected hike in payrolls may renew fears that the Federal Reserve will contemplate a rise in interest rates sooner than expected.
Corporate news
The Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed Ewen Stevenson as the company's new chief finance officer (CFO). Stevenson joins the state-backed bank from Credit Suisse.
Budget airline EasyJet has announced a rise in passenger numbers of 4.8 per cent to 5.1m for March 2014.
Data in focus
- 11:00am: Germany March factory orders
- 1:30pm: Canada March unemployment rate
- 1:30pm: US March non-farm payrolls
- 1:30pm: US March unemployment rate