European stocks were poised to open higher on Thursday as investors looked ahead to a key Bank of England policy decision and a fresh wave of corporate earnings.
The BOE is widely expected to cut interest rates from 4.25% to 4%, responding to signs of a slowing economy and rising unemployment.
On the earnings front, major reports are due from Allianz, Merck, Deutsche Telekom, Henkel, and Uniper, among others.
Investors will also digest the latest trade data from Germany and France for further insight into the health of the region’s economy.
Globally, sentiment remains shaped by renewed trade tensions after US President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on imported semiconductors, excluding companies building in the US, and doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% due to continued imports of Russian oil.
In premarket trade, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were up 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively.