What you need to know before the open
Yesterday’s vote in Crimea – where the overwhelming majority of the population voted in favour of joining Russia – could see European markets open lower this morning.
Asian markets were nervous during Monday trading too, with key indices closing lower.
And, no doubt, the global focus will remain on the region throughout the week, as we await reprisals for the referendum.
President Obama's warned of economic sanctions, saying the referendum will not be recognised by the US and its allies.
Moscow’s Micex index has gained over one per cent today, following the vote.
We’ve got the latest EU inflation numbers today. Those will likely be of heightened interest to investors, given president Draghi’s indications last week that the ECB’s becoming slightly concerned by the high value of the euro and its affect on the bank’s price stability mandate.
Corporate news
Vodafone’s confirmed a £6bn deal to purchase Spain second-largest broadband provider, Ono.
Philips has bought a $235m majority stake in Saudi Arabia’s largest lighting group, General Lighting Company.
And there’s yet another IPO in the offing: Just Eat, the takeaway middleman, has confirmed its inanition to float, with plans to raise £100m from its IPO.
Data in focus
- 10.00am: EU Feb inflation
- 1.00pm: US Jan total net TIC flows
- 1.15pm: US Feb industrial production