European equity markets were set to open higher on Friday, extending gains from the previous session, as positive US economic data lifted investor confidence.
Optimism was fueled by stronger-than-expected US retail sales in June, underscoring the resilience of the world’s largest economy.
Meanwhile, traders remained focused on regional corporate earnings, with Norway’s Telenor beating Q2 estimates on strong Nordic performance, and Sweden’s Electrolux posting better-than-expected profits as price hikes helped offset increased US tariff-related costs.
On the data front, Germany’s producer prices fell 1.3% year-on-year in June, matching May’s pace and marking the steepest decline since September last year.
In premarket trade, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures rose 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively.