Europe markets set to rise ahead of earnings, economic data

The FTSE 100 is seen 6 points higher at 7,242, the CAC is expected to open up around 5 points at 5,366 and the DAX is poised to start 13 points higher at 12,607, according to IG.

In Asia, equities crept higher on Wednesday after China’s central bank unexpectedly announced it would reduce the amount of cash lenders could hold as reserves. The move was seen as an attempt to bolster liquidity in Beijing’s banking system. MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific shares, excluding Japan, was around 0.5 percent higher.

Meanwhile, investor confidence in the global economy appeared to deteriorate slightly after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Tuesday that medium-term risks were tilted towards the downside.

The Washington D.C.-based institute cited financial vulnerabilities, geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs as potential headwinds over the coming months. However, the IMF left its worldwide growth forecasts unchanged for 2018 and 2019.

Back in Europe, Danone, Vopak and Rio Tinto were among the major companies set to release their latest figures on Wednesday morning.

On the data front, a final estimate of the euro area’s March inflation rate is expected to be published at around 10 a.m. London time.

Source: CNBC