What you need to know before the open – 13/02
It looks like the gains seen over the last few days are set to wane today, with Europe expected to open lower as markets pause for breath.
ETX Capital #morningcall: FTSE100 down 20 points, the DAX lower by 23 points and the CAC40 down 8 points
— ETX Capital (@ETXCapital) February 13, 2014
In focus today are US retail sales. Numbers have been sliding for the past few months, with a negative result not being ruled out, given the poor weather seen in January.
Over in Asia, markets subdued significantly, awaiting the US data.
Despite encouraging trade numbers in China, disappointing Australian unemployment numbers have kept equities lower.
The Nikkei dropped almost two per cent in Thursday trading, ending a three-day winning streak.
This morning, German inflation came in at 1.3 per cent for January year-on-year, in line with expectations.
Key events:
- EU European Central Bank monthly report at 9.00am.
- Greece unemployment rate for November at 10.00am.
- US initial jobless claims (31 January) at 1.30pm. Expected at 2.960m from 2.964m.
- US retail sales for January at 1.30pm. Expected at 0.0 per cent from 0.2 per cent.
- US business inventories for December at 3.00pm. Expected unchanged at 0.4 per cent.