What you need to know before the US open
US futures have risen ahead of Janet Yellen’s speech later today.
Over here in Europe, stocks have suffered some losses after weaker-than-expected Eurozone inflation data.
The headline figure dropped to a 2009-low of 0.5 per cent, piling pressure on the ECB to invoke policy tools to help the region.
When it comes to the Ukraine-Russia situation, the US and Russia have agreed to resolve the situation without further escalation, although uncertainty is still rife.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, is celebrating a victory for his AKP party in local elections.
And the Greek benchmark bond yield has hit a new four-year low – 6.506 per cent.
Corporate data
Energy producer Encana has said that it’s selling its Jonah field gas properties to TNG for $1.8bn.
And Johnson & Johnson has officially agreed to sell its ortho-clinical diagnostics unit to private equity group Carlyle for $4bn.
Data in focus
• 2:45pm: US March Chicago PMI
• 2:55pm: Fed chair Janet Yellen speech